Auckland, July 2: New Zealand’s cricket team has suffered a significant blow ahead of the ODI series against the West Indies. Fast bowler Ben Sears has been ruled out of the entire series due to an ankle injury.
In his place, Ben Lister has been added to the 16-member squad. New Zealand Cricket confirmed that Sears has been experiencing ongoing ankle pain since a four-day Test against Ireland in May, which intensified on the final day of the third Test against England at Trent Bridge. As a precaution, he is being sent back to New Zealand for treatment.
Lister will join the New Zealand team in Guyana in the coming days. The 30-year-old medium-fast bowler made his ODI debut against Pakistan in Karachi in 2023. He has played a total of 17 international matches for New Zealand, including 4 ODIs and 13 T20s, taking 17 wickets. He was part of the squad during the ODI series against Bangladesh in April.
New Zealand is particularly troubled by injuries among its fast bowlers. Before Sears, Blair Tickner returned home due to scheduled ankle surgery and was unavailable for selection in the ODI series against the West Indies. Additionally, Jacob Duffy missed the recent Test series in England due to the birth of his first child. Kyle Jamieson, Matt Henry, and Will O’Rourke will also not participate in this series as they manage their workloads in the first half of 2026.
The five-match series will commence in Guyana, with the first three matches scheduled for July 11, 13, and 16, followed by the last two matches on July 19 and 21 in Bridgetown, Barbados.
New Zealand’s squad for the ODI series against the West Indies includes: Mitchell Santner (captain), Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Christian Clarke, Jacob Duffy, Matthew Fisher, Dean Foxcroft, Mitchell Hay (wicketkeeper), Nick Kelly, Tom Latham (wicketkeeper), Jaden Lenox, Ben Lister, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Nathan Smith, and Will Young.
Leave a Comment