Calf injury rules New Zealand’s Ferguson out of World Cup

New Zealand paceman Lockie Ferguson has been ruled out of the ICC T20 World Cup in the UAE with a calf tear, it was announced minutes before his team’s opening game against Pakistan on Tuesday.

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The 30-year-old injury prone bowler had played the Indian Premier League rescheduled matches and was with the squad and had bowled three overs in the warm-up match against Australia on October 20.

“Ferguson felt tightness in his right calf following training last night (Tuesday) and a subsequent MRI scan on game-day revealed a grade two tear which would require three to four weeks recovery,” a press release from New Zealand Cricket said.

“With the BlackCaps set to play five pool games over the next 13 days, coach Gary Stead said they had no option but to rule Ferguson out of the tournament.”

“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,” Stead said.

“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.

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

Stead indicated Ferguson would be replaced in the 15-player tournament squad by Milne subject to approval by the ICC Technical Committee.

Milne is already in the UAE with the team having been selected in the squad as travelling injury cover, but won’t be available to play until ICC approval has been received making him unavailable for the Group Two match against Pakistan in Sharjah.