Lockie Ferguson’s Hamstring Injury Puts Champions Trophy and Tri-Series Participation in Doubt
Wellington: New Zealand’s premier fast bowler Lockie Ferguson is facing uncertainty regarding his participation in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy and the Tri-Series against South Africa in Pakistan after sustaining a hamstring injury. The pacer suffered the injury while playing for the Desert Vipers in the International League T20 (ILT20), raising concerns over his availability for the national team.
According to reports from ESPNcricinfo, Ferguson was forced to leave the field during the first qualifier against Dubai Capitals on Wednesday, just one ball shy of completing his spell. Former Pakistan pacer Mohammad Amir bowled the final delivery in his place as Dubai Capitals secured a win to advance to the finals.
Lockie Ferguson’s Hamstring Injury: Injury Assessment Underway
Following the match, Ferguson expressed disappointment over the injury, stating, “It’s sad that I had a little hamstring problem. I wish I could have bowled the last ball, but it was a difficult night.”
New Zealand head coach Gary Stead provided an update, confirming that Ferguson underwent scans in the UAE to assess the severity of the injury. “Lockie had a scan yesterday [Thursday] in the UAE,” Stead said. “We are awaiting a report from our radiologist on the extent of the issue. It seems to be a minor hamstring problem, but we need further clarification before deciding on his participation in the Tri-Series and Champions Trophy.”
With Ferguson being a key figure in New Zealand’s bowling attack, his absence would be a significant setback. The Kiwis are currently in a transition phase, moving beyond the era of Trent Boult, Tim Southee, and Matt Henry, making Ferguson’s experience vital for their campaign. In 65 ODIs, Ferguson has claimed 99 wickets, making him one of the most dependable fast bowlers for New Zealand.
Lockie Ferguson’s Hamstring Injury: Backup Plans in Motion
As a precautionary measure, Wellington pacer Ben Sears, who is returning from knee surgery, has been drafted into the squad. Sears, although uncapped in ODIs, has experience in 17 T20Is and one Test. Another potential replacement under consideration is Jacob Duffy, who was included in the squad to cover for Ferguson in case he remains sidelined.
Ferguson’s absence was also felt in Friday’s ILT20 elimination match between the Desert Vipers and Sharjah Warriors, where Sam Curran led the team instead. Curran mentioned at the toss that Ferguson’s injury status remained unclear.
Having played eight games in his debut ILT20 season, Ferguson has taken 11 wickets at an average of 18.18. The Desert Vipers franchise is closely monitoring his workload to ensure his fitness for international commitments.
Managing Workload and Recovery
Desert Vipers’ director of cricket, Tom Moody, acknowledged the challenges of a demanding schedule. Speaking on the Vipers Voices podcast, Moody said, “We have tried to manage the players with the rotation of quicks as much as we possibly can. However, the schedule remains intense, and while physical exhaustion is an issue, mental fatigue is just as significant.”
Stead also hinted at rotating seamers in the Tri-Series, as New Zealand aims to keep their bowlers fresh ahead of the Champions Trophy, which begins on February 19 in Karachi. The Kiwis will play Pakistan in the tournament opener, with their second match against South Africa scheduled for February 10 in Lahore. The Tri-Series final will be played on February 14 in Karachi.
“We will assess bowlers’ workloads after the first game and decide accordingly,” Stead said. “Asia’s conditions are not as hot as expected, but players still need careful workload management. With the Champions Trophy being our priority, we want everyone to be fully fit and firing for that.”
Key Players Return for New Zealand
New Zealand’s squad for the Tri-Series has received a boost with the return of star batters Devon Conway and Kane Williamson. Both players recently completed their franchise stints in the SA20 league with Joburg Super Kings and Durban Super Giants, respectively.
Despite not holding a central contract and last playing an ODI in the 2023 World Cup, Ferguson was included in New Zealand’s Champions Trophy squad. Teams have until February 12 to finalize their rosters, leaving room for potential last-minute changes.
New Zealand Squad for Tri-Series and Champions Trophy:
Tri-Series and Champions Trophy:
- Mitchell Santner (captain), Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Will O’Rourke, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Ben Sears, Nathan Smith, Kane Williamson, Will Young.
Tri-Series Only:
- Jacob Duffy
As New Zealand braces for a crucial period in international cricket, all eyes remain on Ferguson’s recovery timeline. His fitness will be pivotal in determining the team’s pace attack strategy for both the Tri-Series and the ICC Champions Trophy.
