T20 World Cup 2021: Lockie Ferguson Ruled Out Of The Tournament, New Zealand Announce Replacement

Star New Zealand speedster Lockie Ferguson has been ruled out of the entire ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 tournament.

Ferguson who recently participated in Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 ahead of the World Cup had an amazing run with the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) franchise.

He was expected to deliver the same performance for New Zealand in the marquee world cup but unfortunately, he has been ruled out of the event with a calf tear.

The 30-year-old pacer felt tightness in his right calf following one of the training sessions and a subsequent MRI scan on match-day revealed a grade two tear. Adding to it, it would require three to four weeks for Lockie Ferguson to completely recover and become fully fit to compete.

Meanwhile, the Kane Williamson-led New Zealand is all set to play five T20 World Cup 2021 games in the next 13 days and Kiwi coach Gary Stead said they had no option but to rule Ferguson out of the marquee tournament.

Lockie Ferguson Is A Massive Part Of Our T20 Side – Gary Stead

The Blackcaps coach Gary Stead said that Ferguson is a massive part of New Zealand’s T20 team and losing him is a major blow. He stated:

“It’s a real shame for Lockie to have this happen on the eve of the tournament and the entire team is really feeling for him right now,”

“He’s a massive part of our T20 side and has been in such good form – so to lose him at this time is a blow.”

Meanwhile, the New Zealand Coach told that Ferguson would be replaced by pacer Adam Milne in the 15-member squad upon approval by the ICC. Notably, Adam Milne recently represented Mumbai Indians (MI) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021.

Adam Milne was previously named as travelling reserve of the New Zealand National Cricket Team for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 event and was training with the team in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

However, Milne won’t be available to play until International Cricket Council (ICC) approval has been received which means he will not be part of the playing XI in today’s group 2 game against the Pakistan National Cricket Team at Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

“However, we are fortunate to have a like for like replacement in the form of Adam who has been with the squad training for the past two weeks.” Gary Stead said

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