Ferguson Out Again as New Zealand’s Fast Bowling Carousel Keeps Turning

New Zealand’s injury crisis has deepened further, with Lockie Ferguson ruled out of the final two ODIs against India and Blair Tickner forced into a mandatory seven-day stand-down period.

New Zealand Cricket confirmed that Lockie Ferguson has not fully recovered from the low-grade right-calf tear he sustained during the T20I series. It is the second time in the space of a fortnight that the pace bowler has been sidelined, having already been replaced by Matt Fisher in the T20 leg.

Tickner’s situation is different. He has been cleared of concussion after taking a blow to the helmet in the Wellington ODI, where he was subbed out for Fisher. However, the ICC’s mandatory seven-day stand-down period rules him out of the next two matches. Bowling all-rounder Kristian Clarke, already named for the last two ODIs, has been called up to provide cover ahead of the third match in Hamilton.

Henry Targets Mount Maunganui

Matt Henry has been advised to target a return for the fourth ODI in Mount Maunganui. Henry was cleared of concussion following a collision with Devon Conway before the series but had also sustained a low-grade tear in his right quadriceps during the second T20I. He and Kyle Jamieson, who were due to join the Test camp in Wellington after the third ODI, will now remain with the white-ball squad for the fourth game as well.

Two further players will be added to the squad for the final two matches, NZC confirmed.

Test Preparation Begins

Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Glenn Phillips and Nathan Smith will travel to Wellington on Wednesday, a day after the third ODI, to begin preparations for the Test series. The Test squad is due to be announced shortly.

New Zealand’s availability problems extend beyond the pace department. Conway has been ruled out of the series with concussion, while Rachin Ravindra (shoulder) and Mark Chapman (hamstring) are also unavailable.

The hosts trail India 0-2 in the five-match series and face must-win territory in Hamilton, having already lost the preceding T20I series 3-2. The revolving door of fast bowlers shows no sign of slowing.

New Zealand squad for 3rd ODI: Mitchell Santner (captain), Michael Bracewell, Kristian Clarke, Jacob Duffy, Matt Fisher, Kyle Jamieson, Nick Kelly, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Glenn Phillips, Tim Seifert, Nathan Smith, Will Young

New Zealand squad for 4th ODI: Mitchell Santner (captain), Finn Allen, Michael Bracewell, Kristian Clarke, Jacob Duffy, Matt Fisher, Dean Foxcroft, Mitchell Hay, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Nick Kelly, Tim Seifert, Will Young

                                               

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