WI vs NZ 2026: New Zealand announce squad change after Ben Sears ruled out through injury

New Zealand fast bowler Ben Sears has been ruled out of the upcoming One Day International (ODI) series against the West Indies due to an ankle injury. The five-match series is set to commence on July 11 in Guyana, the venue for the first three games.

Sears had been struggling with his ankle ever since the Black Caps played Ireland in a four-day Test match before their series against England. The niggle escalated during the third Test against the Three Lions at Trent Bridge, resulting in New Zealand withdrawing the 28-year-old from the 50-over squad.

In his place comes 30-year-old Ben Lister. The Auckland Aces star has represented the Kiwis four times in ODIs, most recently against Bangladesh earlier this year, where his side suffered a 2-1 loss. Lister played just one game in that series, registering figures of 2 for 62 in the third ODI in Chattogram.

In his international career, the left-arm pacer has played 17 times for New Zealand, including 13 caps in T20Is, taking as many wickets.

It is worth mentioning that Sears' injury puts yet another dent in New Zealand's fast-bowling attack ahead of the start of the series against the West Indies. The Black Caps already decided to rest Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson and Will O'Rourke after their Test series against England.

However, the 2019 World Cup finalists will see Jacob Duffy return to the side after finishing his paternity leave, and he will be partnered alongside Nathan Smith, who won Player of the Series in the Tests after taking 16 wickets.

New Zealand will also see captain Mitchell Santner return to the side, along with other ODI regulars like Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Mark Chapman and Michael Bracewell.

Mitchell Santner (C), Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Kristian Clarke, Jacob Duffy, Matthew Fisher, Dean Foxcroft, Mitchell Hay (WK), Nick Kelly, Tom Latham (WK), Jayden Lennox, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Ben Lister, Nathan Smith, Will Young.