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New Zealand’s Ben Sears ruled out of Champions Trophy
New Zealand player Ben Sears has been ruled out of the Champions Trophy following a hamstring injury. Sears, who was also part of New Zealand’s squad for the Pakistan ODI Tri-Series, experienced pain in his hamstring during the team’s training session in Karachi on Wednesday.
“We’re all really feeling for Ben. It’s always tough being ruled out of a major event at such a late stage, and it’s especially tough in Ben’s case given it would have been his first major ICC event,” New Zealand head coach Gary Stead said.
“The timeframes for Ben to be fit to play again meant he would likely miss the majority of the group stage, and given the short nature of the tournament, we felt it was appropriate to bring in a player who is fully fit and ready to go,” Stead said.
“Ben is a player with huge potential and given the short rehabilitation timeframe, we’re sure he’ll be fit and raring to go for the home series against Pakistan back in New Zealand.
Ben Sears will be replaced by Jacob Duffy, who is already with New Zealand’s squad for Pakistan ODI Tri-Series.
"Jacob showed with his performances in the recent home series against Sri Lanka that he is more than capable at international level. He's been part of the squad for the ODI Tri-Series so he's fully acclimatised and he's got plenty of experience in these conditions and is fit and ready to go. He's another player who will be experiencing his first senior ICC event, so it will be an exciting few weeks ahead for him."
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