Is NZ Pacer Ben Sears Ready for Club Cricket in Melbourne?
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Synopsis
New Zealand fast bowler Ben Sears is on track for a comeback in Victoria Premier Cricket as he recovers from injury. Set to play six matches for Melbourne University, he aims to regain match fitness ahead of Wellington’s Super Smash. His return is crucial for New Zealand's T20 World Cup aspirations. Find out more about his journey back to the field!
Key Takeaways
- Ben Sears is returning to play after a hamstring injury.
- He will participate in six matches for Melbourne University Cricket Club.
- His performance is crucial for New Zealand's T20 World Cup plans.
- The team is dealing with several injuries among pace bowlers.
- Coaches are focused on a safe return for players.
Melbourne, Nov 27 (NationPress) New Zealand fast bowler Ben Sears is preparing for a brief stint in Victoria Premier Cricket as he recovers from a hamstring injury.
Sears is slated to participate in six matches for Melbourne University Cricket Club—comprising five T20s and a single 50-over match—looking to be match-ready for Wellington’s Super Smash tournament starting in late December. Should he regain full fitness, he is anticipated to be a candidate for New Zealand’s T20 World Cup squad in February.
The 27-year-old has been sidelined since the T20I series against Australia in early October due to a recurrence of the hamstring issue that previously ruled him out of February’s Champions Trophy.
New Zealand is currently focused on Plunket Shield matches with limited short-format opportunities, making Melbourne the ideal location for him to regain competitive form.
“Ben has missed significant time on the field over two of the last three summers, so it was crucial for him to play as much as possible on grass surfaces leading into his Super Smash comeback,” stated New Zealand coach Rob Walter.
“He’s a key part of our future strategy, and with a vital phase of T20 cricket approaching, we want to ensure Ben has the safest and most effective return-to-play plan. His progress has been encouraging, and we’re eager to see how he performs in Melbourne.”
Sears, who has represented New Zealand in one Test, four ODIs, and 22 T20Is, is among several Black Caps pace bowlers currently managing injuries. Will O'Rourke is recovering from a back stress fracture, Lockie Ferguson is dealing with a hamstring issue, and Adam Milne is tending to an ankle injury. Kyle Jamieson is also being cautiously reintegrated following back troubles.
Despite these challenges, New Zealand's pace depth has been showcased in recent white-ball series against the West Indies and England, where Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes, and Blair Tickner have all delivered commendable performances.
Sears will kick off his campaign for the University with a T20 match against Kingston-Hawthorn on Sunday.
Point of View
I believe that Ben Sears's return to cricket is an encouraging story of resilience. His journey through injury and comeback reflects the spirit of sportsmanship that inspires many. While the New Zealand team faces challenges with several pace bowlers injured, Sears's participation in Melbourne is a significant step towards strengthening the team ahead of major tournaments.
NationPress
27/11/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Ben Sears playing in Melbourne?
Ben Sears is in Melbourne to regain match fitness after recovering from a hamstring injury. Playing in Victoria Premier Cricket offers him the opportunity to prepare for upcoming tournaments.
How many matches will Sears play?
Sears is set to play a total of six matches for Melbourne University Cricket Club, including five T20s and one 50-over game.
What are Sears's future prospects?
If he returns to full fitness, Ben Sears is expected to be in contention for New Zealand's T20 World Cup squad in February.
Who is coaching the New Zealand team?
The New Zealand team is currently coached by Rob Walter, who emphasizes the importance of a safe and effective return-to-play plan for Sears.
What challenges does the New Zealand team face?
The New Zealand team is currently dealing with multiple injuries among their pace bowlers, which has impacted their short-format match opportunities.
