Three seasoned players have been recalled to an experienced New Zealand squad to contest the Champions Trophy.

Kane Williamson, Devon Conway and Lockie Ferguson were unavailable for the just-completed home ODI series against Sri Lanka because of offshore T20 commitments.

Batsmen Williamson and Conway have been playing in the SA20 while pace bowler Ferguson is involved in Australia’s Big Bash League.

Ben Sears was also selected for the ICC tournament co-hosted by Pakistan and UAE, having missed the 2-1 series win over Sri Lanka with a knee injury.

It will be the first senior ICC event for Sears and fellow pace bowlers Will O’Rourke and Nathan Smith.

Coach Gary Stead will oversee a squad he said also boasted experience and depth.

“We’re currently blessed with a lot of quality players and that certainly made for some challenging selection discussions,” Stead said.

Spin bowler Mitchell Santner will lead New Zealand at a major event for the first time, after being named full-time white ball captain in December.

Santner, former skipper Williamson and wicketkeeper Tom Latham were all part of the New Zealand squad for the last edition of the Champions Trophy, in England and Wales in 2017.

New Zealand will contest the tournament’s opening match against Pakistan in Karachi on 19 February, followed by group games against Bangladesh and India.

New Zealand squad: Mitchell Santner (c), Will Young, Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra, Kane Williamson, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham, Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Nathan Smith, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, Ben Sears, Will O’Rourke.

© Agence France-Presse

Photo: Gareth Copley/Getty Images