Lockie Ferguson ruled out of New Zealand’s T20I series in India; Matt Fisher called up

Lockie Ferguson was ruled out of the remainder of New Zealand’s T20I series against India on Thursday after sustaining a right calf injury during the second T20I at Hagley Oval, and Matt Fisher has been named as his replacement ahead of the fourth T20I.

India have already secured an unassailable 3-0 lead in the series, chasing 225 in the opening T20I, 180 in the second match and overhauling 199 in 13.2 overs in the third, while New Zealand’s pace attack has struggled to contain India’s batting. Mitchell Santner and Michael Bracewell have continued to contribute positively with the ball for New Zealand during the series.

Ferguson sustained the right calf injury during the second T20I at Hagley Oval and scans confirmed a low-grade tear; the pacer is expected to need around another week of recovery before returning to action, New Zealand Cricket said in a statement on Thursday. Matt Fisher has been called up to replace Ferguson for the remainder of the T20I series.

Matt Henry experienced pain in his right quadricep during the second T20I and subsequent assessment revealed a low-grade tear, with the fast bowler expected to require one to two weeks to recover. Henry had been scheduled to return for the upcoming ODI series as part of a planned workload management programme and, despite the injury, he remains on track for that return.

Kyle Jamieson will stay in Wellington under his planned workload management schedule; he is available to play for Canterbury in their second-round Ford Trophy match on Saturday before rejoining the national team on Monday ahead of the ODI series.

With the T20I series already decided, New Zealand will look to finish on a stronger note while India aim to extend their dominance and the hosts seek a response after three difficult outings with the ball.

The fourth T20I will take place at Eden Park in Auckland on Friday. The match is sold out.