New Zealand have suffered another setback to their pace attack, with Lockie Ferguson ruled out of the remainder of the T20I series against India due to a right-calf injury. Matthew Fisher has been named as his replacement for the remaining matches.
Ferguson featured in the first two T20Is before experiencing pain in his right calf during the second match in Christchurch. Subsequent scans confirmed a low-grade tear, and the fast bowler is expected to need around another week to recover before returning to action.
Fisher, who joined the squad in Wellington as bowling cover, was initially named only for the third T20I but will now remain with the New Zealand team for the rest of the series. He was originally scheduled to feature in the India A series, with Brett Randell called up to replace him in the New Zealand A squad for the second match.
Henry and Jamieson Hopeful of ODI Return
New Zealand have also been without Matt Henry and Kyle Jamieson for the remainder of the T20I series, with both fast bowlers managing fitness concerns. However, the team remains hopeful that the pair will be available for the three-match ODI series, which begins in Auckland on November 4.
Henry experienced pain in his right quadriceps during the second T20I, and scans revealed a low-grade tear that is expected to require one to two weeks of recovery. His absence from the remaining T20Is had already been planned as part of New Zealand's workload management strategy ahead of a busy summer schedule.
Jamieson will remain in Wellington and is expected to feature for Canterbury in their second-round Ford Trophy match on Saturday before rejoining the national squad on Monday to prepare for the ODIs.
New Zealand head coach Rob Walter expressed disappointment over the injuries to Ferguson and Henry but remained optimistic about their recovery.
"We're gutted for Lockie and Matt," Walter said. "Injuries are part and parcel of international cricket, but it doesn't make it any easier when you have to miss games."
He added that Henry had already been scheduled to sit out the remaining T20Is to manage his workload, expressing hope that the fast bowler would still play an important role in the upcoming ODI series.
Walter also revealed that Ferguson had been eager to play in front of a sell-out crowd at Eden Park but was determined to return in time for the ODIs.
India Seal T20I Series
New Zealand have already conceded the five-match T20I series, trailing India 3-0. The fourth match will be played in Auckland on October 30, followed by the final T20I in Hamilton on November 1.
The teams will then turn their attention to the ODI series, with New Zealand hoping to have Henry and Jamieson available as they look to strengthen their pace attack after a series of injury setbacks.
