New Zealand’s ongoing T20I campaign against India has hit another rough patch, with key pace duo Lockie Ferguson and Matt Henry officially ruled out of the final two matches due to injuries.
Both bowlers sustained injuries during the second T20I at Hagley Oval in Christchurch. Scans revealed a low-grade tear in Ferguson’s right calf, which will sideline the express pacer for roughly a week. On the other hand, Henry suffered a quad strain that is expected to keep him out of action for up to two weeks.
The setback compounds New Zealand’s bowling challenges after India secured an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series. The visitors’ batting lineup has been in blistering touch throughout the tour, hunting down targets of 225 and 180 before mowing down 199 inside 14 overs in the third encounter.
Replacement And Squad Updates
Matt Fisher has been called into the squad as Ferguson’s replacement for the final two T20Is. Fisher had already been with the side as cover. Central Stags seamer Brett Randell has been added to the New Zealand A side to cover Fisher’s absence there.
Notably, Matt Henry was already scheduled to miss the remaining T20Is under New Zealand’s planned workload management ahead of a busy summer, so the quad injury has not altered his ODI plans. Kyle Jamieson is also sitting out the rest of the T20Is under the same workload plan; he will play for Canterbury in the Ford Trophy before rejoining the national side for the ODIs.
Coach’s reaction
Addressing the injury updates, New Zealand head coach Rob Walter expressed his sympathy for the veteran quicks and said that he was optimistic Ferguson and Henry would be involved in the ODIs against India.
“We’re gutted for Lockie and Matt. Injuries are part and parcel of international cricket but it doesn’t make it any easier when you have to miss games,” said Walter.
“Fortunately for Matt he was already going to sit out on the rest of the T20Is with an eye to his big summer schedule, and we’re hopeful he’ll still play a key role in the ODIs.
I know Lockie was fizzing to play in front of a sell-out home crowd at Eden Park tomorrow, but he’s determined to be back for the ODIs,” he added.
The Kiwis will aim to salvage pride in the fourth T20I at Eden Park before turning their focus toward the upcoming ODI series, where team management hopes both frontline pacers will be cleared to return.
