New Zealand have strengthened their pace attack ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup by naming in-form fast bowler Ben Sears as a travelling reserve for the tournament.
According to a report by ICC, Sears will link up with the Black Caps squad in India ahead of the 20-over showpiece, which gets underway on February 7 in India and Sri Lanka. His inclusion follows the injury setback to fellow quick Adam Milne last week.
Milne’s withdrawal prompted Kyle Jamieson’s promotion into New Zealand’s main 15-member squad, while Sears has been added as a travelling reserve for the upcoming World Cup campaign.
The right-arm pacer has been in impressive form for Wellington in New Zealand’s domestic Super Smash competition, earning praise from Black Caps head coach Rob Walter.
“Ben’s worked hard to get himself back on the park and it’s been great to see him back playing and performing well,” Walter said, ICC has quoted.
“He’s had a full Super Smash campaign with the Firebirds where he was the competition’s joint second-top wicket-taker from the round-robin stage with 15 wickets from his nine games, as reported by ICC.
“It will be great to have Ben with us here in India and ready to make an impact at the World Cup should someone get injured,” as quoted by ICC.
Sears is set to join the squad ahead of New Zealand’s warm-up match against the USA on February 5. The Black Caps will begin their T20 World Cup campaign against Afghanistan on February 8.
New Zealand squad: Mitchell Santner (c), Finn Allen, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Tim Seifert, Ish Sodhi.
Reserve: Ben Sears
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