New Zealand fast bowler Lockie Ferguson has been ruled out of today’s World Cup crunch match against England as a precaution after feeling tightness in his left hamstring.
Ferguson is one of the fastest bowlers in the tournament, regularly capable of reaching 90mph, and currently lies second on the Cricket World Cup 2019 wicket-takers list with 17 scalps.
He is yet to go wicket-less in any previous game and has four three-plus wicket-hauls, so his absence will be sorely felt by New Zealand’s pace battery, with fit-again Tim Southee stepping in to make his first appearance of the tournament.
Lockie Ferguson has a tight left hamstring and will miss today’s match against England as a precaution. pic.twitter.com/hNctdy8h1x
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) July 3, 2019
Although the Kiwis are yet to outright qualify for the semi-final stage, as they have done in the three previous editions, their superior net run-rate over Pakistan gives them a degree of insurance heading into today’s encounter with England, clearly a factor in the decision to rest Ferguson ahead of the knock-out phase, with New Zealand likely to play next Thursday.
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New Zealand are unbeaten against England in the World Cup since the 1983 tournament, when a century from Allan Lamb guided England to a 106-run victory at The Oval. When the two sides met in the 2015 tournament, England were eviscerated on a green seaming pitch at Wellington, with Southee taking 7-33 as England were bowled out for 123.
The Kiwis then reached the total inside 12.2 overs with Brendon McCullum scoring 77* from 25 balls, an experience England captain Eoin Morgan yesterday described as the closest to “rock-bottom” he had experienced in the sport.
