Southee backs Kiwi mix of youth and experience

Dubai: Tim Southee will find himself in unfamiliar territory watching the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 rather than playing but has backed his former teammates to impress in Pakistan.

The former Blackcaps bowler and captain called time on his international career at the end of 2024, meaning that both he and Trent Boult will be absent from the team that looks to bring home the trophy for the first time since 2000.

While the fast-bowling ranks look relatively inexperienced, Kane Williamson and captain Mitchell Santner know what it takes to make it to the sharp end of tournaments.

And having just won the Tri-Nation Series in Pakistan as a warm-up, Southee has been impressed with what he has seen.

He said: “The way the team have played, different guys have stepped up. It’s a good mix between some experienced guys and some exciting young guys with a lot of potential. The experience of this Tri-Nation Series is only going to stand them in good stead for the tournament.

“So, taking some momentum into the tournament and being accustomed to those conditions, it’s only going to be a good thing.

“Kane is in good form, it’s nice to see him with a couple of scores, he’s obviously class. He’s not played a lot of one-day cricket for the last few years but to see him come back and have two significant contributions is what we’re used to seeing. But it’s also pleasing for me now as a fan of the Black Caps.”