Pace-bowler Ben Sears is set to join the New Zealand squad as a travelling reserve for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup, which commences on February 7 in India and Sri Lanka. The 27-year-old will meet the T20 World Cup squad in Mumbai this Sunday in preparation for their warm-up game against the USA on February 5.
New Zealand Cricket (NZC) announced that Sears will step in for Kyle Jamieson, who was brought into the main squad last week following Adam Milne’s withdrawal due to a hamstring injury. Milne sustained the injury during the SA20, with subsequent scans revealing the severity of the issue.
Having showcased good form for Wellington in New Zealand’s domestic Super Smash competition, Sears has impressed the team’s head coach, Rob Walter. Walter highlighted Sears’ successful return from a hamstring injury that initially sidelined him at the beginning of the home summer.
Walter praised Sears’ efforts, stating, “Ben’s worked hard to get himself back on the park and it’s been great to see him back playing and performing well.” Sears notably emerged as the joint second-highest wicket-taker in the Super Smash, securing 15 wickets from nine games during the round-robin stage.
New Zealand, placed in Group D alongside Afghanistan, Canada, South Africa, and the UAE, will kick off their campaign on February 8 in Chennai against Afghanistan. The New Zealand squad includes players like Mitchell Santner, Finn Allen, and Kyle Jamieson, with Ben Sears serving as the designated reserve player.
