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Sears and O'Rourke included in New Zealand's Champions Trophy squad

Ben Sears celebrates a wicket Getty Images

Fast bowlers Ben Sears and Will O'Rourke have been included in New Zealand's squad for the Champions Trophy alongside allrounder Nathan Smith.

Sears, who was a traveling reserve for the T20 World Cup last year, has recently played his first game since April having returned in the Super Smash following injury and is in line for his ODI debut having played one Test and 17 T20Is. O'Rourke has impressed across formats early in his international career, but has been especially eye-catching in Tests.

Smith, meanwhile, will bring lower-order power with the bat and bustling seam bowling.

The same squad will take part in the ODI tri-series in Pakistan ahead of the Champions Trophy, which will also feature South Africa, although Jacob Duffy has been named on standby Lockie Ferguson isn't available for those games due to the ILT20.

"We're currently blessed with a lot of quality players and that certainly made for some challenging selection discussions," head coach Gary Stead said. "Ultimately, we've gone with the squad that will offer us the best options to perform well in the expected conditions in Pakistan and the UAE. We're lucky to have a large chunk of the group with significant international and tournament experience to draw upon.

"The tournament format is a unique one in that you have to hit the ground running which means our preparation in the pre-leading Tri Series is really important. It's going to be a great occasion opening the tournament against hosts in Pakistan in Karachi and we can't wait to get over there and get stuck in."

Mitchell Santner will lead New Zealand for the first time in a global event and will be able to lean on the experience form the likes of Kane Williamson and Tom Latham.

Mark Chapman and Will Young have earned spots while spin-bowling allrounder Michael Bracewell is also included.

New Zealand are grouped with Pakistan, Bangladesh and India for the group stage meaning they will travel to Dubai to face the latter.

New Zealand squad for Champions Trophy and Pakistan Tri-Series

Mitchell Santner (capt), Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Will O'Rourke, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Ben Sears, Nathan Smith, Kane Williamson, Will Young