New Zealand fast bowler Lockie Ferguson was, on Wednesday (December 16), ruled out of action for four to six weeks after being diagnosed with a partial stress fracture to his lumbar spine.
However, Ferguson won't require surgery but will need “six weeks of rest and rehabilitation” before returning to training and return to action later in New Zealand's home summer, which will extend till late March with Australia and Bangladesh visiting the country in February-March 2021.
New Zealand Cricket confirmed the latest setback on Wednesday after subsequent scans confirmed the partial fracture that he sustained after the T20I series against West Indies at home. Ferguson was Man of the Series for his brilliant bowling show, taking 7 wickets in 3 matches including a five-wicket haul.
Later, the star pacer was ruled out from the two-match Test series against West Indies and now will miss all the games – three T20Is and two Tests against Pakistan at home.
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Black Caps coach Gary Stead has expressed his disappointment at the big blow, saying Ferguson has emerged as a massive asset for New Zealand and hopes he will be available at the back end of the summer when they host Australia and Bangladesh in February-March 2021.
Stead was quoted as saying in an official NZC release on Wednesday: “We're all really feeling for Lockie. Injuries are certainly part of our sport, but to get something like this when you're at the very top of your game is especially disappointing.”
The coach further added, “The pace and skill he's been able to consistently produce have made him one of the very best white-ball bowlers in the world and a huge asset for the Black Caps. Lockie has a great attitude and I know he's up for the fight so he'll get stuck into the rehab and we're still hopeful he may get back on the park at the back end of summer.”
Noteworthy, Ferguson will likely to miss all of the Auckland Aces Super Smash campaigns which run from late December through to the final on February 14.
He might return to the time when New Zealand will host Australia to play in a five-match T20I series starting in late February and Bangladesh in a limited-overs series comprising 3 ODIs and 3 T20Is.
(With IANS Inputs)
