Will Lockie Ferguson absence affect New Zealand CT 2025 run?

New Zealand has been dealt a significant blow ahead of their opening match in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 against Pakistan. On the eve of the much-anticipated clash, pace spearhead Lockie Ferguson has been ruled out of the tournament due to a right foot injury. The news comes as a setback for the Black Caps, who are considered one of the strong contenders for the title. 

Ferguson experienced discomfort during an informal warm-up match against Afghanistan in Karachi on February 17. Despite efforts to test his fitness, including bowling a few overs during the game, the medical team decided to withdraw him from the tournament following an initial assessment.  

This injury follows his earlier setback in February while playing for the Desert Vipers, where he left the field mid-over and missed the remaining matches of the season. 

To fill the void left by Ferguson, New Zealand has named Kyle Jamieson as his replacement. The 30-year-old fast bowler is making his ODI comeback after a lengthy recovery from a stress fracture in his back that sidelined him for 10 months.  

Jamieson recently showcased his skills in New Zealand’s domestic Super Smash competition, where he claimed 14 wickets in 12 innings at an economy rate of 5.95, helping Canterbury reach the final. 

New Zealand’s head coach Stead acknowledged the challenges posed by the consecutive injuries and shared his disappointment for Lockie. However, Jamieson’s return pleased Stead, who expressed confidence in the tall pacer’s ability to step up in Ferguson’s absence.   

Ferguson’s absence is the second blow to New Zealand’s pace department within a week, following Ben Sears’ hamstring injury. The BlackCaps will need to rely heavily on Jamieson’s form, along with the experience of Trent Boult and the all-round capabilities of Mitchell Santner, as they navigate the tournament. 

New Zealand’s group-stage journey begins against Pakistan in Karachi, followed by a clash with Bangladesh in Rawalpindi on February 24, and a high-profile encounter against India in Dubai on March 2. With only the top two teams from each group advancing to the semi-finals, the BlackCaps will look to overcome these challenges and make a strong statement in the tournament.

 

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