NEW ZEALAND (WELLINGTON) – Fast bowler Lockie Ferguson of New Zealand will not see action for at least six weeks because of a partial stress fracture to his back, which does not require surgery, said the nation’s cricket board on Wednesday.
His injury came to be noticed after the recent Twenty20 series against West Indies. The 29-year-old player was already ruled out of the upcoming T20 and test series against Pakistan, beginning in Auckland on Friday.
“We’re all really feeling for Lockie,” New Zealand coach Gary Stead said in a statement. “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.
“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.
“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.”
New Zealand will lock horns with Pakistan in three T20s and two tests, after which they will play Australia at home in a five-match T20 series in late February.
The ‘Black Caps’ will then go on to play Bangladesh in a limited-overs series comprising three one-day internationals and three T20s that ends on March 28.
