According to Media Sources, New Zealand pacer Lockie Ferguson is doubtful for the ICC Champions Trophy as he injured his hamstring while featuring in International League T20 (ILT20), ahead of the Kiwis’ tri-nation series in Pakistan, featuring South Africa. As per ESPNCricinfo, during the first qualifier on Wednesday, while leading Desert Vipers against Dubai Capitals, Ferguson had to leave the field with just one ball left in his spell and the innings. Former Pakistan pacer Mohammed Amir finished the over on his behalf. DC secured a win and moved to the finals. Following the game, Ferguson said as quoted by ESPNCricinfo, “Just a little hamstring issue, unfortunate. Tough night; wish I could have bowled the last ball.” Ferguson underwent scans on next day, as per NZ coach Gary Stead, to determine the seriousness of the injury. Kiwis are awaiting more details about the pacer’s fitness. “Lockie had a scan yesterday [Thursday] in the UAE,” Stead said on the eve of the tri-series opener against Pakistan on Friday. “We have got the images here and are waiting for our radiologist to give us a report on the extent of it. Small hamstring injury, by the look of it, so we are just waiting on a timeline of advice around that before we make a decision on whether Lockie travels here [Pakistan] or whether we do have to replace him for the Champions Trophy.”
As Per Media Sources, If Ferguson misses out on Champions Trophy, it would be a big dent on Kiwis’ campaign as with 65 matches and 99 wickets in ODIs under his belt, he is the most experienced pacer in New Zealand side, which is currently undergoing a transition from the golden age of Trent Boult, Tim Southee and Matt Henry to introducing newer crop of fast bowlers in the squad. With Champions Trophy less than two weeks away with Kiwis set to face Pakistan in the tournament opener on February 19 at Karachi, Stead hinted that the seamers would be rotated and given adequate rest during the tri-series. After the opening match of the series on Saturday, NZ will play South Africa in Lahore on February 10. The final will take place on February 14 at Karachi. “I think it [selection] will depend on how people shape up, especially the bowlers after this first game and what their loads are like and then what the conditions are like as well,” Stead said. “It is not quite as hot as you think it would be in Asia. It still gets pretty cold here in the evenings, so but if you bowl in the heat of the day, it might take more out of the bowlers. So, we will just manage that and be smart around it, understanding that the big tournament is the Champions Trophy. We want to make sure everyone is fit and firing for that,” he added. New Zealand would be boosted by returns to batters Kane Williamson and Devon Conway, who finished their franchise deals with Durban Super Giants (DSG) and Joburg Super Kings (JSK) in the ongoing SA20. Seamer Jacob Duffy, in the squad as a cover for Ferguson, could be in selection frame if he continues to stay out of action. Ferguson was named in New Zealand’s squad for the Champions Trophy despite opting out of a central contract and despite having not featured in an ODI since the 2023 World Cup. Teams still have time till February 12 to make changes to their Champions Trophy squads.
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