New Zealand pacer's participation in tri-nation series, ICC Champions Trophy 2025 uncertain

New Zealand pacer Lockie Ferguson is facing an uncertain future in the upcoming tri-nation ODI series and the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 due to a hamstring injury. The injury occurred while Ferguson was playing for the Desert Vipers in the ILT20 on February 5. He was forced to leave the field after being unable to bowl the final ball of his spell.

“Just a little hamstring issue, unfortunate. Tough night; wish I could’ve bowled the last ball,” Ferguson said after the match.

New Zealand Cricket (NZC) is currently awaiting the results of his scans, which were carried out in the UAE. Head coach Gary Stead provided an update on the situation on Friday, confirming that the team was still waiting for a report on the extent of Ferguson’s injury.

“Lockie had a scan yesterday [Thursday] in the UAE. We’ve got the images here and [we are] waiting for our radiologist to give us a report on the extent of it,” Stead said. 

“Small hamstring injury, by the look of it, so we’re just waiting on a timeline of advice around that before we make a decision on whether Lockie travels here [Pakistan] or whether we do have to replace him for the Champions Trophy 2025,” he added.

As New Zealand plays in the tri-nation series opener against Pakistan, the team remains hopeful that Ferguson can recover in time, but his participation in the upcoming events remains in doubt. The tri-nation series will play a crucial role in New Zealand’s preparations for the Champions Trophy 2025, and Ferguson’s injury is being closely monitored by the team.