T20 World Cup 2021: Lockie Ferguson ruled out of the tournament

The New Zealand cricket team suffered a jolt ahead of their clash against Pakistan as news has come in that pacer Lockie Ferguson has suffered a tear in his calf and has been ruled out of the 2021 T20 World Cup.

Ferguson had complained of tightness in his calf after training, and when the scans were done, it was revealed that the tearaway pacer had suffered a grade two tear and will be out of action for at least 3 weeks.

New Zealand Head Coach Gary Stead stated that it is indeed a real shame that the Kiwis have lost Ferguson on the eve of the 2021 T20 World Cup. Stead added that the entire New Zealand side is thinking of Ferguson at this juncture.

“It’s a real shame for Lockie to have this happen on the eve of the tournament and the entire team is really feeling for him right now,” said Gary Stead following Ferguson’s injury.

To lose Lockie Ferguson at this time is a blow: Gary Stead

Gary Stead also added that Ferguson is a massive part of the New Zealand T20I side as he has been in excellent form coming into the tournament. The Head Coach added that Adam Milne will replace Ferguson in the New Zealand squad, and concluded by stating that Milne has been training with the Kiwi squad for 2 weeks. Milne will be added to the squad after approval from the ICC Technical Committee.

“He’s a massive part of our T20 side and has been in such good form – so to lose him at this time is a blow. However, we are fortunate to have a like for like replacement in the form of Adam who has been with the squad training for the past two weeks,” concluded Head Coach Stead.

Lockie Ferguson has played 13 T20I matches for the New Zealand side. The 30-year-old has picked up 24 wickets in the T20I format of the game and has picked his wickets at an average of 13.17 and a strike rate of 11.50. Ferguson has also picked up a five-wicket haul in T20I cricket.