How Did New Zealand Get Lockie Ferguson's Replacement Even After Deadline?

Soumyajit Dutta

Lockie Ferguson [Source: @Tajamul132/X.com]Lockie Ferguson [Source: @Tajamul132/X.com]

New Zealand fast bowler Lockie Ferguson has been ruled out of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 due to a foot injury, dealing a significant blow to the team. Ferguson’s explosive pace and valuable experience have been central to New Zealand’s bowling attack, and his sudden unavailability has raised immediate concerns about the squad’s strength. 

In response, the selectors have swiftly called up Kyle Jamieson, signalling a proactive approach to mitigate the setback. But how is it possible for New Zealand to introduce a replacement, who was not even a travelling or non-travelling reserve, after the Champions Trophy squad submission deadline, which closed on February 11? 

The answer lies in long-established ICC protocols that allow for injury replacements even after final squad submissions. 

How Did New Zealand Get A Replacement For Ferguson After Deadline?

Well, the sudden inclusion isn’t without precedent, back in 2002, the ICC made headlines by permitting injured players to be replaced post-deadline during the World Cup.

As understood by the 2002 incident, the International Cricket Council has outlined a process allowing teams to replace a player deemed unfit for the remainder of an event, even if the player's injury was identified after the squad submission deadline. 

The report noted that the procedure begins when a team manager considers one of the 15 selected players unfit to contribute effectively. In such cases, a formal request can be submitted to the event technical committee, after which ICC's doctor's panel will asses and declare the player fit or unfit for the tournament.

If the doctors determine that the player is unlikely to play a useful role in any subsequent match, the team is then permitted to replace him. Drawing on this established ICC precedent, New Zealand’s decision to replace Lockie Ferguson with Jamieson is well within the rules.

Kyle Jamieson To Fill In Ferguson's Shoes

Meanwhile, Ferguson’s absence has opened the doors for Jamieson to make his return to the Black Caps, marking his first appearance in over a year. The 30-year-old last played for New Zealand in February 2024, before being sidelined due to a back injury sustained during the team’s Test series victory over South Africa.

After months of recovery, Kyle Jamieson has returned to form with Canterbury, where he starred in the T20 Super Smash, claiming 14 wickets at an average of just over 18 and an impressive economy rate of 5.95 runs per over. With New Zealand's Champions Trophy Opener scheduled for February 19, the eleventh-hour change might leave a big impact ahead of their clash against Pakistan.