NZ vs PAK: Lockie Ferguson ruled out with partial stress fracture

New Zealand fast bowler Lockie Ferguson has been diagnosed with a partial stress fracture in his lumbar spine. New Zealand Cricket on Wednesday (December 16) confirmed the pacer will be out for at least 4-6 weeks.

Ferguson picked up the back injury in the recently-concluded T20I series against West Indies. He will now miss all the T20Is against the visiting Pakistan team, along with the Super Smash tournament, where plays for the Auckland Aces. Although there’s no need for a surgery, Lockie will require complete rest and rehabilitation before marking his return to New Zealand’s power-packed home summer.

“We’re all really feeling for Lockie. Injuries are certainly part of our sport, but to get something like this when you’re at the very top of your game is especially disappointing,” said Gary Stead, New Zealand’s head coach in NZC’s official release.

“The pace and skill he’s been able to consistently produce has made him one of the very best white ball bowlers in the world and a huge asset for the BLACKCAPS.”

“Lockie has a great attitude and I know he’s up for the fight so he’ll get stuck into the rehab and we’re still hopeful he may get back on the park at the back end of summer,” he added.

New Zealand kick start their 3-match T20I series against Pakistan on December 18 at Eden Park, Auckland. Both teams will then proceed to play two Tests, concluding the series by January 07, 2021. The BlackCaps will then host their trans-tasman rivals Australia from February 22, 2021 for five T20Is. They will then conclude their home season with a limited-overs series against Bangladesh in March.