Lockie Ferguson is facing a race against time to be fit for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup after sustaining a calf injury during the ILT20 match in Dubai last month. The New Zealand pacer was run off just three balls in the second while playing for Desert Vipers against MI Emirates on December 21. The injury ruled him out of the rest of the ILT20 and subsequently the Big Bash League, dealing a blow to his preparations for the World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.
The Desert Vipers moved quickly to sign Pakistan spinner Usman Tariq as his replacement, with Sam Curran taking over as captain. Ferguson was also set to link up with Sydney Thunder, but the Australian club instead drafted England all-rounder David Willey after the injury was confirmed. It followed an earlier injury which had already limited Ferguson’s appearances this season.
Sydney Thunder general manager Trent Copeland has expressed his disappointment at missing out on the New Zealand speedster. “We’re gutted that Lockie won’t be with us this year,” Copeland said. “Not only does he go 150km/h with an incredible amount of experience in all conditions, but he is truly one of the best people in cricket and has added so much to our team culturally. We wish Lockie all the best in his recovery ahead of the World Cup.”
The injury is a concern for the New Zealand selectors, with Ferguson yet to play for the national side from November 2024. The 34-year-old, an occasional contract holder with New Zealand Cricket, was expected to play a key role in the build-up to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, particularly as a power forward capable of generating extreme pace and mixing in slower variations of the ball at the knees. He also previously missed the Champions Trophy with a hamstring problem.
New Zealand’s fast bowling resources are already strained, with Will O’Rourke sidelined by a back injury. The team had hoped Ferguson would return in time for the five-match T20I series in India ahead of the FIFA World Cup, where New Zealand begin their campaign against Afghanistan in Chennai on February 8. The absence of the two lads has made the selectors rethink their pace.
However, there is some depth available. Kyle Jamieson recently appeared in the Super Smash for Canterbury before heading to India, while Matt Fisher returned from injury for Northern Districts. Player workloads and recovery timelines remain closely monitored as preparations continue.
Encouragingly for New Zealand, Adam Milne made a big comeback from an ankle injury in the SA20 with Sunrisers Eastern Cape. Milne impressed with figures of 2 for 7 against Paarl Royals and 4 for 25 against Pretoria Capitals, showing sharp pace and control.
“It’s nice to get a couple of wins and a couple of good performances,” Milne said. “It’s always good to be back on the park after an injury.
Milne will join New Zealand’s T20I squad in India after completing his SA20 commitments, offering some relief to the selectors as they finalize World Cup plans and try to assemble a competitive pace attack for subcontinental conditions.
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Issued by:
Saurabh Kumar
Published on:
January 3, 2026
