Islamabad, Feb 8: New Zealand’s star fast bowler, Lockie Ferguson, is in a race against time to recover from a hamstring injury ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy. The experienced pacer sustained the injury during the ILT20 in the UAE while leading the Desert Vipers.
His fitness remains a major concern for the Black Caps as they gear up for their final preparation in the tri-series against Pakistan and South Africa.
Ferguson suffered the setback during the first qualifier against Dubai Capitals on Wednesday, pulling up in discomfort mid-game. Following the match, he confirmed the issue, stating, “It’s just a minor hamstring concern—an unfortunate situation.
Tough night, and I really wished I could have delivered that last ball.” His injury ruled him out of the eliminator match against Tim Southee’s Sharjah Warriors, with Sam Curran stepping in as captain for the Vipers.
New Zealand head coach Gary Stead provided an update, revealing that Ferguson underwent scans in the UAE on Thursday. While the final medical assessment is pending, his availability for the Pakistan tri-series and the Champions Trophy remains uncertain. If Ferguson is unable to recover in time, Jacob Duffy, who is already on standby, is likely to replace him in the squad.
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Losing Ferguson would be a significant blow to New Zealand’s pace attack, given his vast experience and ability to generate express pace. The team had planned to rotate their fast bowlers during the tri-series, but his potential absence could force an adjustment to their strategy. New Zealand will begin their Champions Trophy campaign against Pakistan on February 19 in Karachi, making the coming days crucial for Ferguson’s recovery.
Amid this setback, the Black Caps received a boost as Kane Williamson and Devon Conway joined the squad in Lahore after completing their franchise commitments in SA20. Their presence adds strength to the batting lineup as New Zealand faces Pakistan and South Africa in the tri-series before shifting focus to the main tournament.
All eight teams have finalized their Champions Trophy squads, but changes can still be made until February 12. Whether Ferguson will be fit in time or be replaced remains to be seen, but for now, New Zealand’s management faces an anxious wait over the fitness of their premier fast bowler.
