News
New Zealand quick Lockie Ferguson has another calf problem and, with the World Cup only weeks away, the timing could hardly be worse. The 34-year-old pulled up three balls into his second over for Desert Vipers against MI Emirates in Dubai on 21 December and has not bowled competitively since.
Team physios confirmed a right-calf strain the following morning. It ruled him out of the remainder of the ILT20, forced Desert Vipers to hand the captaincy to Sam Curran and, a few days later, led Sydney Thunder to scratch his short-term Big Bash deal. No cricket, no overs in the legs, and a shrinking window to reach full tilt before New Zealand’s World Cup opener against Afghanistan in Chennai on 8 February.
Ferguson had planned a tidy build-up: ILT20, straight into the BBL, then five T20Is in India with the Black Caps. All now on hold. New Zealand selectors will give him as long as they reasonably can – the squad does not have to be finalised until the ICC deadline later this month – but contingency plans are already written in pencil.
Trent Copeland, Thunder’s general manager, summed up the mood when the withdrawal became official. “We’re gutted that Lockie won’t be with us this year,” Copeland said. “Not only does he bowl 150kph with an incredible amount of experience in all conditions, but he is genuinely one of the best humans in cricket and added so much to our squad culturally too. We wish Lockie all the best in the recovery ahead of the World Cup and hope to one day see him back playing for the Thunder Nation.”
Thunder have replaced Ferguson with England left-armer David Willey, who links up with the group before their 6 January clash against Adelaide Strikers. In the Emirates, Vipers drafted in Pakistan mystery spinner Usman Tariq. Handy short-term cover, but nobody quite fills a Ferguson-shaped hole.
The injury history is starting to read longer than anyone would like. A hamstring strain in last season’s ILT20 cost him the Champions Trophy, and assorted niggles have limited his international appearances since November 2024. New Zealand retain him on a casual contract, essentially pay-as-you-play. When fit, he still rushes batters at 145-plus and disguises a tidy knuckle-ball variation, but getting him on the park is the trick.
Will O’Rourke is already ruled out of the World Cup with a stress-related back issue, removing another hit-the-deck option. If Ferguson joins him on the casualty list, the selectors’ pace stocks look thinner, and more responsibility falls on veterans Tim Southee and Trent Boult.
Milne’s timely boost
There is at least one bit of good news on the speed front. Adam Milne has re-emerged in the SA20 and, so far, the ankle holds up. Playing for Sunrisers Eastern Cape, Milne flicked the pace gun to 140kph first game back and snatched 2 for 7 against Paarl Royals. Two nights later he produced 4 for 25 in Gqeberha, including a back-of-the-hand slower ball that yorked Shai Hope. Encouraging signs.
Provided no flare-ups, Milne will finish the SA20, hop across to India and join the Black Caps for that five-match series. He last played international cricket in March 2025, so the rhythm is welcome.
Analysis
Ferguson and Milne rarely seem fit at the same time. New Zealand could do with both: one to attack with genuine heat in the powerplay, the other to whip through the middle overs. A fully functioning pair allows the management to rotate Southee and Boult, manage workloads, and perhaps free up another squad spot for a spinning all-rounder, which Indian pitches tend to reward.
If Ferguson fails to prove his fitness, selectors may lean towards the extra batting depth of someone like Ben Sears or trial another left-arm angle in Jacob Duffy. None deliver quite the same intimidation factor but, as recent tournaments have shown, availability sometimes trumps upside.
For now, though, the watchword is patience. Ferguson’s rehab programme began before Christmas; the calf has responded but not yet passed full-pace sprint and bowling drills. The next fortnight is critical. Should he clear the medical markers, he will fly to India for a short warm-up camp. If not, the Black Caps will head to Chennai without their quickest bowler, again relying on plan B.
