New Zealand Add Ben Sears as Travelling Reserve for T20 World Cup

New Zealand have added fast bowler Ben Sears to their T20 World Cup squad as a travelling reserve ahead of the tournament in India.

Sears joins the group after Kyle Jamieson was promoted to the main squad following Adam Milne’s withdrawal due to injury. The 26-year-old returns to the international setup after a strong comeback from a hamstring injury during the Super Smash, where he claimed 15 wickets at an average of 17.93.

The right-arm quick will link up with the squad in Mumbai ahead of New Zealand’s warm-up match against the United States on February 5.

“Ben’s worked hard to get himself back on the park and it’s been great to see him back playing and performing well,” New Zealand head coach Rob Walter said. “He’s had a full Super Smash campaign with the Firebirds where he was the competition’s joint second-highest wicket-taker from the round-robin stage, with 15 wickets from nine games.

“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.”

Sears has represented New Zealand in 22 T20 Internationals, with his most recent appearance coming against Australia in early October.

New Zealand are currently in India for a T20I series and will play their final match against the hosts on Sunday, with India leading the series 3–1.

The Black Caps will begin their T20 World Cup campaign against Afghanistan in Chennai on February 8, before further group matches against the UAE, South Africa and Canada.