Lockie Ferguson Ruled Out Of Final Two T20Is Against India With Calf Injury

New Zealand have suffered another injury setback ahead of the remaining matches of their T20 International series against India, with fast bowler Lockie Ferguson ruled out of the final two games due to a calf injury.

Ferguson sustained the injury during the second T20I at Hagley Oval, and subsequent scans confirmed a low-grade tear in his right calf. He is expected to need around another week to recover, putting his participation in doubt until the upcoming ODI series against India.

New Zealand Cricket has named Matt Fisher as Ferguson’s replacement for the remainder of the five-match T20I series. Fisher had joined the squad in Wellington as bowling cover.

The fourth T20I is scheduled to be played in Auckland on Friday, with India already securing an unassailable 3-0 lead in the series.

Ferguson’s absence is a setback for the hosts, who will be keen to finish the series strongly in front of their home supporters. New Zealand head coach Rob Walter expressed disappointment over the injuries but remained hopeful that both Ferguson and fellow pacer Matt Henry would be available for the ODI series, beginning on November 4.

Henry, who was also assessed after experiencing pain in his right quadricep during the second T20I, has been diagnosed with a low-grade tear and is expected to require one to two weeks of recovery. He was already scheduled to miss the remaining T20Is as part of New Zealand’s workload-management plans.

Walter said Ferguson had been eager to play in front of a sell-out crowd at Eden Park but was determined to return for the ODIs. He added that the team remained optimistic about Henry’s involvement in the upcoming series.

Meanwhile, Brett Randell, a fast bowler with Central Stags, has been called up to the New Zealand A squad for its second match against India A to replace Fisher.

As part of his planned workload management, Kyle Jamieson will remain in Wellington and is available for Canterbury’s second-round Ford Trophy match on Saturday before rejoining the national squad on Monday for the ODI series.