The New Zealand men’s cricket team, which commences its ICC Champions Trophy 2025 campaign against Pakistan on Wednesday, February 19, in Karachi’s National Stadium, faced huge defeat on Tuesday (February 18), when it was confirmed that keen fast bowler Lockie Ferguson will miss the eight-team tournament in Dubai and Pakistan due to injury.
With 99 wickets from his 65 ODI matches, Ferguson has been ruled out due to a foot injury. He will be replaced in the squad by Kyle Jamieson.
However, after joining up with the squad, the fast bowler complained of pain in the right foot following New Zealand’s warm-up match against Afghanistan on Sunday. And upon medical assessment, Ferguson was ruled out of the entire Champions Trophy.
“We are really disappointed for Lockie,” said Gary Stead, head coach. “Lockie is such a key part in the bowling group. He brings a lot of major tournament experience, and we know how much he was looking forward to representing New Zealand at another major event.
“We wish him well in his recovery and hope he will be back firing soon.”
However, Ferguson’s absence paves the way for Kyle Jamieson to return to the Black Caps for the first time in more than a year.
It has been over a year since the 30-year-old wore the black cap when he was injured in New Zealand’s Test series win against South Africa in February last year.
Upon returning, Jamieson played an enormous T20 Super Smash for Canterbury, grabbing 14 wickets at a mere 18 average and an economy rate of 5.95 runs per over.
Jamieson also has two Ford Trophy 50 over matches in the kitty, having completed an eight-over spell against the Central Districts on Friday last and again on Northern Districts on Tuesday.
“Kyle’s got good pace and bounce, and I think the conditions here in Pakistan will certainly suit him,” continued Stead.
“He has shown since returning in the Super Smash how effective he can be in shorter forms of the game, and he has bowled with real pace and energy which is what you’re looking for from a pace bowler, especially at an event like this.
“We have been pleased with the progress that he has made since his return to work, and we feel that the amount of work he has put in, in the past few weeks, alongside his successful spells in the recent Ford trophy matches, has meant that he should be good to go for the tournament if required.”
