SHARJAH: New Zealand fast bowler Lockie Ferguson has been ruled out of the ongoing Twenty20 World Cup due to a calf muscle tear, the team said in a statement on Tuesday.

New Zealand Cricket said the 30-year-old felt tightness in his right calf after a training session and an MRI scan ahead of their tournament opener against Pakistan on Tuesday revealed a grade two tear which would rule him out for up to four weeks.

He will be replaced in the 15-player squad by Adam Milne, subject to approval by the Inter­national Cricket Council’s Technical Committee.

“It’s a real shame for Lockie to have this happen on the eve of the tournament and the entire team is really feeling for him right now,” New Zealand coach Gary Stead said in a statement.

“He’s a massive part of our side and has been in such good form — so to lose him at this time is a blow.

“However, we are fortunate to have a like-for-like replacement in the form of Adam who has been with the squad training for the past two weeks.”

Milne was not picked for Tuesday’s game against Pakistan as he awaits ICC approval.

Published in Dawn, October 27th, 2021