Lockie Ferguson, New Zealand’s most seasoned fast bowler, was ruled out of the 2025 Champions Trophy due to injury. Ferguson sustained a hamstring injury earlier this month while competing in the International League T20 (ILT20) event in the United Arab Emirates. Ferguson has participated in 65 One-Day Internationals (ODIs), including the last two World Cups where his team advanced to the final four. Kyle Jamieson has been added to the 15-man roster that will play the hosts, Pakistan, in Karachi on Wednesday to begin the ICC event. Ferguson sustained the injury at the beginning of February when he departed the field before playing all four overs as required by the Desert Vipers. During the ensuing ODI tri-series in Pakistan, he stayed off the field and missed their final two games of the season. Ferguson bowled three overs in a warm-up match against Afghanistan on Sunday, putting his hamstring to the test. He was not allowed to compete in the Champions Trophy on Tuesday.
Ben Sears has also been out with a hamstring injury, making Ferguson the second fast bowler the Black Caps have lost in the past week. New Zealand’s stocks now appear to be in excellent shape, despite the fact that the Champions Trophy is anticipated to be played in conditions that could be difficult for the quick bowlers. As seamers with fewer than 15 ODIs under their belts, Jamieson joins Will O’Rourke, Jacob Duffy, and Natham Smith. This puts more emphasis on Matt Henry, the squad’s lone senior fast bowler.
