Big blow to New Zealand team, this star bowler out of T20 World Cup due to injury
T20 WC 2021 Update: In the T20 World Cup (T20 WC), the team of New Zealand (NZ) has suffered a major setback. Ahead of the match against Pakistan on Tuesday, fast bowler Lockie Ferguson was ruled out of the tournament due to injury. In his place, Adam Milne will be included in the 15-member team after getting approval from the Technical Committee of the International Cricket Council (ICC). According to New Zealand Cricket (NZC), 30-year-old Ferguson felt tightness in his right calf after training on Monday night. After this an MRI scan was done, which revealed the injury. According to the board, it will take three to four weeks for Ferguson to recover from the injury.
New Zealand’s head coach Gary Stead said, “It is disappointing for Lockie Ferguson to have this happen on the eve of the tournament and the whole team is disappointed for him at the moment. He is an important part of our T20 team and was in very good form, so Losing him at this time is a big blow.” New Zealand have to play five pool matches in the next 13 days. According to the coach, in such a situation, the team had no option but to throw Ferguson out of the tournament. “We are fortunate to have the same option as Adam Milne, who has been training with the team for the past two weeks,” he said.
Milne is present in the UAE as New Zealand included him in the team as cover in case of injury. However, he will be available only after getting approval from the ICC. New Zealand’s team is to be played against India on 31 October. In such a situation, the exclusion of Ferguson, who is in good form for the team, is a big blow. Both Ferguson and Milne were involved in the second leg of IPL 2021 played in UAE for Kolkata Knight Riders and Mumbai Indians. Ferguson played eight matches for the Knight Riders, including the eliminator, second qualifier and final. Milne, on the other hand, played only three games for Mumbai.
Ferguson was instrumental in reaching the finals of the Knight Riders, taking many wickets while bowling excellently. However, he did not have a good day in the title match against Chennai Super Kings. He conceded 56 runs in four overs, while in the last seven matches he had conceded more than 30 runs only once.
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