New Zealand pacer Lockie Ferguson has been ruled out of the T20 World Cup 2021 with a calf tear.
“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.
Ferguson was coming off an injury-marred but successful IPL season and was on course to be a key player in the NZ pace troika. Stead had further indicated that Ferguson would be replaced by Adam Milne subject to approval by the ICC Technical Committee.
“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."
New Zealand are scheduled to play their first World Cup fixture against Pakistan on Tuesday (October 26, 2021) in Sharjah. The Pakistan team is coming into this game on the back of a 10-wicket win against India in the previous match.