New Zealand pacer Lockie Ferguson has suffered a partial stress fracture to his back and is likely to be out of action for the next 4-6 weeks, coach Gary Stead said on Wednesday.
“We’re all really feeling for Lockie. Injuries are certainly part of our sport, but to get something like this when you’re at the very top of your game is especially disappointing.
“The pace and skill he’s been able to consistently produce has made him one of the very best white ball bowlers in the world and a huge asset.
“Lockie has a great attitude and I know he’s up for the fight so he’ll get stuck into the rehab and we’re still hopeful he may get back on the park at the back end of summer,” New Zealand coach Gary Stead said in a statement.
The New Zealand cricket board added in a statement that he will however not need any surgery.
Ferguson has also been ruled out of the upcoming T20 and Test series against Pakistan, which starts in Auckland on Friday. His injury had come to light after the T20I series against West Indies.
New Zealand will play three T20s and two Tests against Pakistan, after which they face Australia at home in a five-match T20 series starting in late February.
The ‘Black Caps’ then host Bangladesh in a limited-overs series comprising three one-day internationals and three T20s that ends on March 28.
