Sears Ruled Out Through Injury, Lister Added to New Zealand Squad for West Indies Tour

New Zealand have suffered a major setback ahead of their upcoming five-match ODI series against the West Indies, with fast bowler Ben Sears ruled out due to an ankle injury. Left-arm pacer Ben Lister has been named in the 16-member squad as his replacement.

Sears had been experiencing ankle discomfort since New Zealand’s four-day Test against Ireland in May. The injury worsened on the final day of the Trent Bridge Test against England, prompting the team management to take a precautionary approach. He has been withdrawn from the West Indies tour and sent back home for further treatment.

Lister, who made his ODI debut in 2023, has played four matches in the format and claimed six wickets. He was also part of New Zealand’s ODI squad for the tour of Bangladesh in April.

Injuries to fast bowlers have become a growing concern for New Zealand in recent months. Jacob Duffy returns to the ODI squad after missing the recent Test series against England while on paternity leave. However, Blair Tickner has been ruled out of the series as he undergoes ankle surgery. Meanwhile, Will O’Rourke, Kyle Jamieson and Matt Henry have all been rested as part of workload management following their involvement in the England Test series.

New Zealand head selector Gavin Larsen said managing the workload of the team’s fast bowlers has become increasingly important. He noted that several pacers ended up with injuries after the three-Test series against England, highlighting the need to maintain depth in the pace-bowling department.

New Zealand’s pace attack for the West Indies ODI series will feature Jacob Duffy, Nathan Smith, Kristian Clarke, Matthew Fisher and Ben Lister. The spin department will be led by captain Mitchell Santner, alongside Michael Bracewell and Jayden Lennox.

The first three ODIs of the five-match series will be played in Providence, Guyana, on July 11, 13 and 16. The remaining two matches will be held at Kensington Oval in Barbados on July 19 and 21.