Lockie Ferguson, who starred with a hat-trick in New Zealand's series-levelling victory in the second T20I against Sri Lanka on November 10, will miss the subsequent ODI series against the same opponents. Here’s the reason.
Ferguson helped New Zealand to defend a paltry total of 108 by completing a hat-trick across two overs. He dismissed Kusal Perera off the last ball of the sixth over and then picked up Kamindu Mendis and Charith Asalanka off successive deliveries in the eighth. Sri Lanka’s middle order was dented, with them slipping to 34-4.
He became the fifth New Zealand bowler to pick up a hat-trick alongside Jacob Oram, Tim Southee (twice), Michael Bracewell and Matt Henry.
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However, he couldn’t bowl further and had to leave the field owing to discomfort. New Zealand later revealed that he suffered a left calf injury during the match and has been ruled out of the forthcoming ODIs.
"Ferguson left the field after experiencing discomfort while bowling his second over and an initial medical assessment indicated that he would not be fit enough to take part in the upcoming 50-over matches," confirmed New Zealand Cricket in a statement. "Ferguson will return home to New Zealand today for scans which will determine the extent of the injury and the period of rehabilitation required."
Ferguson recently returned to the field after nursing a hamstring injury. The latest setback is another blow to his comeback journey.
Adam Milne, who has played 53 T20Is and 49 ODIs for the 'Blackcaps' has been called into the ODI squad against Sri Lanka as Ferguson's replacement. Milne will join Jacob Duffy and Nathan Smith to bolster an inexperienced frontline pace attack.
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