3 X-Factors In New Zealand Squad for Champions Trophy 2025 [Source: @Visharad_KW22/X.com]
The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is just around the corner and the New Zealand cricket team is currently playing a tri-series against Pakistan and South Africa to get necessary practice with white-ball.
New Zealand announced a 15-member squad for the upcoming event with a unique video. Captain Mitchell Santner introduced every member by explaining their special trait.
Meanwhile, the Kiwis are fielding a young squad while maintaining the balance by adding seniors like Kane Williamson and Tom Latham. While their squad is balanced, here are 3 key players who will be an X-factor and will likely help them win the title.
3. Matt Henry
Matt Henry [Source: @KentCricket/X.com]
With Trent Boult and Tim Southee out of the competition, Matt Henry will likely spearhead the New Zealand’s pace attack. His ability to generate swing and seam movement makes him a lethal weapon.
While subcontinent conditions are different and fairly difficult for pacers, Henry has variations he can use to adapt. As for his stats, the pacer has picked up 150 wickets in 85 ODI games. He has also played 5 ODIs in Pakistan and scalped 8 wickets.
Format | Matches | Wickets | Economy | Best Figure |
---|---|---|---|---|
ODI | 85 | 150 | 5.17 | 5/30 |
2. Mitchell Santner
Mitchell Santner [Source: @CricCrazyJohns/X.com]
Pitch conditions in UAE and Pakistan will fairly suit spinners which makes captain Mitchell Santner the X-factor for New Zealand. His ability to restrain scoring rates with accurate left-arm spin is second to none, and his knack of taking wickets at critical moments adds great value. In his ODI career, Santner has 112 wickets in his kitty whereas in Pakistan, he could pick just a single wicket in 3 matches.
Format | Games | Wickets | Economy | Best Figure |
---|---|---|---|---|
ODI | 110 | 112 | 4.84 | 5/50 |
1. Rachin Ravindra
Rachin Ravindra [Source: @yxshh27/X.com]
Without any doubt, dynamic young cricketer Rachin Ravindra will be a great X-factor for New Zealand with the bat. His meteoric rise to international cricket adds a new dimension to the line-up of Black Caps. The left-hander has the ability to score under pressure and can adapt his game to various conditions.
Additionally, his left-arm spin will come in handy for New Zealand. In just 24 ODI innings, he has amassed 945 runs with 3 hundreds and 4 fifties. While experience in Pakistan is limited, Ravindra’s recent form makes him a crucial asset for the Kiwis.
Format | Games | Runs | Average | Strike rate | 100/50 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
ODI | 28 | 945 | 41.08 | 109.50 | 3/4 |