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Williamson, who is New Zealand’s leading run scorer in international cricket, last played a 50-over match for the Black Caps on November 15, 2023, against India in Mumbai.
Kane Williamson will play for New Zealand in ICC Champions Trophy 2025. (Picture Credit: X/@BLACKCAPS)
Star batter and former captain Kane Williamson on Sunday (January 12) was included in New Zealand’s 15-member squad for the upcoming tri-series in Pakistan as well as the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The 34-year-old right-handed batter, who is New Zealand’s fifth-leading run scorer in ODIs, last played a 50-over match for the national team on November 15, 2023, against India in Mumbai during the ODI World Cup 2023 semifinal.
Williamson, who led New Zealand to the final of the 2019 ODI World Cup, missed the recently concluded three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka and also didn’t take part in the three-match ODI series that New Zealand played against Sri Lanka in November last year.
Apart from Williamson, opening batter Devon Conway and pacer Lockie Ferguson are also making a comeback to the ODI team after last playing a 50-over match in the ODI World Cup 2023 semifinal at Wankhede Stadium.
All-rounder Mitchell Santner will lead the Black Caps in the eight-team tournament, which starts on February 19 in Karachi. New Zealand will face Pakistan in the tournament’s opener at National Stadium and will then take on Bangladesh in the second Group A match on February 24 at Rawalpindi Cricket Ground. New Zealand’s third and final group stage match is scheduled to take place on March 2 against India at Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
The Kiwis have suffered defeat in the last five ODIs against India, but in the only ICC Champions Trophy match played between the two teams, the Kiwis managed to get the better of India in the 2000 final.
Rachin Ravindra, who impressed with his batting performances in the ODI World Cup 2023, has been named in the Champions Trophy squad along with Daryl Mitchell, who also scored more than 500 runs in the 50-over megaevent played in 10 venues across India.
In the absence of Tim Southee and Trent Boult, who have retired from international cricket, Matt Henry will lead the fast-bowling attack and will have William O’Rourke, Ben Sears, and Ferguson for support. Sears is yet to make his ODI debut for the Kiwis.
Keeping the Pakistan and UAE conditions in mind, the Kiwis have included spin-bowling all-rounder Michael Bracewell in the squad, and if needed, Rachin and Glenn Phillips will also contribute with the ball.
Mark Chapman, Will Young, and Williamson are three specialist batters, and Tom Latham will play as wicketkeeper.
New Zealand’s squad for ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Mitchell Santner (C), Devon Conway, Tom Latham (WK), Kane Williamson, Rachin Ravindra, Will Young, Mark Chapman, Glenn Phillips, Daryl Mitchell, Nathan Smith, Lockie Ferguson, Ben Sears, William O’Rourke, Matt Henry, Michael Bracewell.
