New Zealand's Lockie Ferguson a doubt for the T20 World Cup

image-l905526qLockie Ferguson (PC: Twitter)

New Zealand suffered another huge blow ahead of the much-anticipated T20 World Cup 2022 as their star pacer Lockie Ferguson picked up an abdominal injury, which ultimately puts his availability in the showpiece event in jeopardy. 

As of now, the Black Caps have decided not to risk him during the ongoing tri-series, which includes Pakistan and Bangladesh. The pacer didn't play the second match of the series against Pakistan on Saturday. 

Notably, Ferguson missed the T20 World Cup 2021 for the Kiwis in the United Arab Emirates and Oman with a calf injury, and the Kane Williamson-led New Zealand management won't do anything to put him at risk again.

Speaking on Ferguson's injury and his significance in the T20 World Cup 2022, here's what head coach John Stead said: 

"Lockie has a little ab injury at the moment. We're just managing just that and the most important thing is we get to the start of the World Cup and Lockie is ready to go. He's a very, very important cog in our bowling line-up. Unfortunately for him, he missed last year's World Cup with the injury he had then."

Will see how he responds to treatment: Stead on Ferguson

Stead further confirmed that Ferguson will miss the entire tri-series to make sure he recovers for the T20 World Cup 2022, starting October 16 in Australia. 

"I mean we are mindful of it and we want to make sure that he's right and ready for those early games in the World Cup. There is that chance [of him missing the entire tri-series]. We will just see how he responds to treatment over the next few days." 

The Blackcaps are already without the services of Daryl Mitchell, whose World Cup availability has come under scanner after he was ruled out of the T20 tri-series after fracturing his hand during training at Lincoln on Friday. 

Ferguson's unavailability will only add to the misery. Kane Williamson & Co. will jet off to Australia on October 15, with their opening match set to be played on October 22 against the hosts at Sydney Cricket Ground.  

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