Champions Trophy 2025: I’d love to see the Blackcaps lifting the trophy, says Tim Southee
Former New Zealand pacer Tim Southee feels Mitchell Santner-led Blackcaps can go all the way in the upcoming Champions Trophy. New Zealand will start their Champions Trophy campaign against defending champions and hosts Pakistan on Wednesday in Karachi.
“If you look at the track record of New Zealand in ICC events, they are always there or thereabouts,” Southee told the ICC.
“In a tournament like the Champions Trophy, if you get on a bit of a roll, anything can happen. I’d love to see the Blackcaps there and hopefully lifting the trophy at the end.”
New Zealand rounded off perfect preparation for the Champions Trophy by thumping Pakistan by five wickets in the tri-nation series final on Friday.
New Zealand’s Michael Bracewell, right, and Glenn Phillips with Pakistan’s Naseem Shah walk off the field after winning the tri-series ODI cricket final match against Pakistan, in Karachi, Pakistan, Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Fareed Khan)
Five days before the teams meet again to open the Champions Trophy, host Pakistan was dismissed for 242 and New Zealand cruised to 243-5 in the 46th over.
Impressed with Will
Fast bowler Will O’Rourke staked his claim for Wednesday’s opener with 4 for 43.
“Will O’Rourke, in the Test game we’ve seen what he can do. He’s still so young but he’s got the all the attributes that are going to set him up to have a lot of success in international cricket. I’m looking forward to watching him in his first ICC event,” he said.
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New Zealand’s Will O’ Rourke, center, celebrates with teammates after taking the wicket of Pakistan’s Mohammad Rizwan during the tri-series ODI cricket final match between Pakistan and New Zealand, in Karachi, Pakistan. (AP)
“Will is a man of few words but certainly listens and wants to get better. Nathan Smith has a real confidence about him, and believes in himself which I think you need at this level.
“Will is still learning, and the Tri-Nation Series – being exposed to those conditions – will be great for him. We know he’s got the pace and bounce, he’s got great skills. He just keeps growing, we’ve seen that in the Test game and he’s continued to get better.
“His game is far from finished but I’m sure he’ll be a massive asset to New Zealand cricket across all three formats for a long time to come.”
