|| CF DESK ||

New Zealand paceman Lockie Ferguson has been ruled out of the ICC T20 World Cup in the UAE with a calf tear. Ferguson felt discomfort in his right calf after practice on Tuesday, and an MRI scan on game day indicated a grade two injury that would take three to four weeks to heal.

Coach Gary Stead stated the BLACKCAPS had no choice but to rule Ferguson out of the tournament because they had five pool games to play over the next 13 days.

“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,” Stead said.

“He’s a massive part of our T20 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."

Stead indicated Ferguson would be replaced in the 15-player tournament squad by Adam Milne subject to approval by the ICC Technical Committee.

Milne is already in the UAE with the team having been selected in the squad as traveling injury cover, but won’t be available to play until ICC approval has been received making him unavailable for today’s Group Two match against Pakistan in Sharjah.