Lockie Ferguson
Lockie Ferguson. Image-AP

In a recent development, New Zealand pacer Lockie Ferguson will likely miss the entire Tri-series at home comprising Pakistan and Bangladesh. The decision comes after New Zealand Cricket (NZC) revealed they want to give the pacer as much time as possible to recover from an abdominal injury ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup in Australia.

The Kiwi management did not risk the 31-year-old quick in the opening match against Pakistan on Saturday and coach Gary Stead said managing Ferguson’s injury was a priority going into the T20 World Cup.

Lockie Ferguson
Lockie Ferguson. Image-Twitter

Lockie Ferguson is an integral cog in the Black Caps squad; reckons coach Gary Stead

Ferguson was also absent from last year’s World Cup in the UAE with a calf injury and New Zealand are making it doubly sure he doesn’t get sidelined again.

“Lockie has a little ab injury at the moment,” head coach John Stead was quoted as saying by The Cricketer. “We’re just managing just that and the most important thing is we get to the start of the World Cup and Lockie is ready to go,” Stead said.

Gary Stead
Gary Stead (Image Credit: Twitter)

“He’s a very, very important cog in our bowling line-up. Unfortunately for him, he missed last year’s World Cup with the injury he had then. I mean we are mindful of it and we want to make sure that he’s right and ready for those early games in the World Cup. There is that chance (of missing the whole tri-series). We will just see how he responds to treatment over the next few days,” Stead added.

New Zealand Daryl Mitchell injury concern ahead of ICC T20 World Cup 2022

New Zealand already has a long injury list with Daryl Mitchell suffering a fractured finger in the nets on October 7. Dane Cleaver has come in as a replacement for him for the Tri-series also involving Bangladesh. However, the medical staff is confident of Mitchell’s full recovery in time for New Zealand’s opening game against Australia on October 22.

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Daryl Mitchell
Daryl Mitchell. Image-Twitter

“Obviously, not ideal timing but we’ve got some good news around where the fracture is in the hand and the time frame to be ready for the first game in Australia in a couple of weeks’ time.” We’ll do everything we can to try and be ready and fingers crossed that I’ll be good to go.” Mitchell told Spark Sport.

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