Kyle Jamieson replaces Lockie Ferguson in NZ squad after the latter was ruled out following a hamstring injury.
Kyle Jamieson has taken the place of Lockie Ferguson in New Zealand’s Champions Trophy squad.
Ferguson has become the latest name in an increasing list of stars being ruled out of the tournament due to injury just days before the start of the tournament.
Ferguson, who has participated in 65 One-Day Internationals (ODIs), including the last two World Cups in which his country advanced to the final four, injured his hamstring earlier this month while competing in the International League T20 event in the United Arab Emirates.
He sustained the injury after he departed the pitch before playing all four overs for the Desert Vipers at the beginning of February. He stayed off the field during the ensuing ODI tri-series against South Africa, Pakistan, and New Zealand and did not play in their final two games of the season.
In a warm-up match against Afghanistan on Sunday, Ferguson bowled three overs, putting his hamstring to the test. He was ruled out from the Champions Trophy on Tuesday.
Ben Sears has also been out with a hamstring injury, making Ferguson the second fast bowler the Black Caps have lost in the past week. New Zealand’s stocks now appear to be in excellent shape, despite the fact that the Champions Trophy is anticipated to be played in conditions that could be difficult for the quick bowlers. As seamers with fewer than 15 ODIs under their belts, Jamieson joins Will O’Rourke, Jacob Duffy, and Natham Smith. This puts more emphasis on Matt Henry, the squad’s lone senior fast bowler.
After missing ten months of play due to a back injury of his own, Jamieson has only recently fully recovered. Even lengthier is the 30-year-old’s absence from ODI cricket, which will go until September 2023. However, he has been playing well lately. During the Super Smash T20 tournament, Jamieson demonstrated his physical prowess and the skills that initially drew attention to him by bowling full lengths and getting the ball to swing in.
In 12 innings, he took 14 wickets at an economy rate of 5.95. Canterbury, his home team, advanced to the final thanks to such effort. Later this year, Jamieson will play for the Quetta Gladiators after earning a PSL contract.
One of the pre-tournament favourites for the Champions Trophy is New Zealand. Their batting depth and all-rounders proved vital at pivotal times when they won the tri-series final at the same location where they will start their campaign.