Lockie Ferguson has been ruled out of the remainder of the Hero VIDA T20I series Powered by Ai+ Nova Smartphone against India and will be replaced by Matt Fisher.
Ferguson experienced pain in his right-calf during the second T20I at Hagley Oval and subsequent scans confirmed a low-grade tear, and he is expected to require another week or so of recovery before returning to play.
Fisher, who joined the T20I squad in Wellington as bowling cover, will replace Ferguson for the remainder of the series, while Central Stags fast-bowler Brett Randell has been called up to the New Zealand A (NZ A) squad for match two against India A to replace Fisher.
Matt Henry was also assessed following pain in his right quadricep during the second T20I, to which scans have shown he's picked up a low-grade tear requiring one-to-two weeks recovery.
Henry, who was set to return to the BLACKCAPS for the upcoming ODI series due to planned workload management, remains on track.
As per the planned workload management of Kyle Jamieson, he will remain in Wellington and is available for Canterbury’s second round of Ford Trophy on Saturday, before re-joining the BLACKCAPS on Monday for the ODI series.
BLACKCAPS head coach Rob Walter said he was optimistic Ferguson and Henry would be involved in the ODIs against India.
“We’re gutted for Lockie and Matt,” said Walter.
“Injuries are part and parcel of international cricket but it doesn’t make it any easier when you have to miss games.
“Fortunately for Matt he was already going to sit out on the rest of the T20Is with an eye to his big summer schedule, and we’re hopeful he’ll still play a key role in the ODIs.
“I know Lockie was fizzing to play in front of a sell-out home crowd at Eden Park tomorrow, but he’s determined to be back for the ODIs.”