Lockie Ferguson Ruled Out Of The Rest Of Australia Tour

The visitors New Zealand sustained a major blow, as the fast bowler Lockie Ferguson ruled out of the remainder of the series against Australia. He will play no further part in the three-match series against Australia because of the calf injury he suffered during the 296-run loss in the first Test at Perth Stadium.

Ferguson, who got his maiden Test cap on Thursday, injured himself during the second session and was quickly sent for an MRI scan to determine the extent of the problem. The scan has confirmed a right calf muscle-tendon strain. Though he came to bat, Lockie Ferguson didn’t bowl again in the match.

Lockie Ferguson to return home –

In the 11-over spell, Lockie Ferguson impressed the fans with his extreme pace. Though he leaked runs at 4 per over, he was successful in beating the batsman for a few times. He would have had Steve Smith as his maiden Test wicket but Tom Latham dropped a sitter in the slip cordon, denying him a wicket.

“Lockie Ferguson is returning home from Australia after sustaining a grade two right calf muscle-tendon strain while bowling in the first Test in Perth,” the Black Caps wrote on Twitter on Monday.

However, there was better news about quick Trent Boult, who usually leads the New Zealand attack, but made way for Ferguson in Perth as he recuperated from a side strain. Most probably, he would return to the playing XI for the second game of the three-match series.

“Trent’s going really well, he was probably three or four days short of being ready for the first Test match,” Stead said to the reporters. That was a risk that we weren’t prepared to take given the length of the season and what was left to come.”

In the first Test, Australia beat New Zealand under lights on the fourth day to secure a commanding 296-run victory in the first Test on Sunday. Chasing a record 468 runs, New Zealand crumbled against Australia’s solid bowling attack and were bowled out for 171 in a one-sided contest.

Watch – Steve Smith pulls off an unbelievable catch

A replacement for Lockie Ferguson in the squad would be named on Tuesday. The second Test begins at Melbourne Cricket Ground on December 26.