Ben Sears tears hamstring, out of NZ Champions Trophy side as Jacob Duffy takes his place as replacement bowler.
Ben Sears has been ruled out of the Champions Trophy with a hamstring injury.
During Wednesday’s team training in Karachi, Sears, who was also included in New Zealand’s squad for the tri-series in Pakistan, experienced tightness in his left hamstring.
According to a release from New Zealand Cricket, a follow-up scan showed a slight tear that would need at least two weeks of rehabilitation. As a result, Sears would only have been available starting with the team’s last group game, which was against India in Dubai on March 2.
Sears participated in both of New Zealand’s tri-series league-stage matches, however he was out of the game after 16 overs and gave up 104 runs.
Sears has been replaced for the Champions Trophy by Jacob Duffy, who is also a member of the tri-series team.
“We’re all really feeling for Ben,” New Zealand head coach Gary Stead said. “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.
“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.
“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.”
“Jacob showed with his performances in the recent home series against Sri Lanka that he is more than capable at international level,” Stead said. “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.”