New Zealand were already chasing the series against India. On Thursday, they lost two of their fastest bowlers as well.
Lockie Ferguson and Matt Henry have both been ruled out of the last two T20 internationals against India after picking up injuries in the same match in Christchurch. It is a double blow for a home side that trails 3-0, and it comes just a day before a sold-out Eden Park hosts the fourth T20I in Auckland on Friday.
More than 40,000 fans are expected at Eden Park, in what New Zealand Cricket says will smash its bilateral series attendance record. Ferguson had been looking forward to bowling in front of that home crowd. Instead, Matt Fisher, drafted in as cover, gets another chance against a rampant Indian batting line-up.
What happened in Christchurch
Both injuries came during the second T20I at Hagley Oval. Ferguson felt discomfort in his right calf, and scans confirmed a low-grade tear. Henry reported pain in his right quadricep in the same match, and checks also found a low-grade tear.
Ferguson is expected to need about another week to recover, which leaves his place in the ODI series starting on November 4 dependent on rehabilitation. Henry faces one to two weeks out.
Neither bowler played in the third T20I in Wellington on Tuesday, when India chased down 199 in just 13.2 overs to seal the series. Abhishek Sharma smashed 113 off 38 balls, with Vaibhav Sooryavanshi adding 45 off 19 in a 133-run opening stand.
Head coach Rob Walter said: “We are gutted for Lockie and Matt. Injuries are part and parcel of international cricket, but it does not make it any easier when you have to miss games.”
Fisher steps in
Matt Fisher had already joined the squad in Wellington as bowling cover, played in the third T20I, and will now stay for the final two matches. His move has had a knock-on effect elsewhere, with Central Stags pacer Brett Randell brought in to replace him against India A.
For Fisher, this is a genuine opportunity. India have batted with remarkable freedom in this series, and New Zealand need early wickets far more than containment. Adam Milne, Jacob Duffy, Nathan Smith and Blair Tickner are among the other pace options, with captain Mitchell Santner leaning on spin through the middle overs.
A sell-out at Eden Park
New Zealand Cricket has confirmed all tickets for Friday are sold. The crowd of more than 40,000 will break the bilateral series record of 36,523, set at a Black Caps and White Ferns doubleheader against India at Eden Park in 2019.
More than 126,000 tickets have been snapped up for the India tour as a whole, with 71,000 across the T20I series alone. The first two matches at Hagley Oval were sell-outs, and the final T20I at Seddon Park in Hamilton on Sunday is also sold out.
“I know Lockie was fizzing to play in front of a sell-out home crowd at Eden Park tomorrow, but he is determined to be back for the ODIs,” Walter said.
What it means for the ODIs
The hope in the camp is that both bowlers will be fit for the five-match ODI series starting on November 4. Henry’s case is simpler: he had already been scheduled to sit out the rest of the T20Is for workload management, so his absence adds an injury to manage rather than changing the plan.
“Fortunately for Matt he was already going to sit out on the rest of the T20Is with an eye to his big summer schedule, and we are hopeful he will still play a key role in the ODIs,” Walter said. Ferguson’s fitness will be watched more closely, as a week of recovery puts him right on the edge of the ODI start.
Series at a glance
- Series score: India lead the five-match T20I series 3-0.
- Fourth T20I: Friday, October 30, Eden Park, Auckland. Sold out, more than 40,000 expected.
- Fifth T20I: Sunday, November 1, Seddon Park, Hamilton. Also sold out.
- Injured: Ferguson (right calf, about a week) and Henry (right quadricep, one to two weeks).
- Replacement: Matt Fisher, drafted in after joining as bowling cover in Wellington.
- Next up: Five-match ODI series starts November 4.
FAQs
Why are Ferguson and Henry out?
Both suffered low-grade tears, Ferguson in his right calf and Henry in his right quadricep, during the second T20I in Christchurch.
How long will they be out?
Ferguson needs about another week, Henry one to two weeks. New Zealand hope both will be fit for the ODIs starting November 4.
Who has replaced them?
Matt Fisher, who joined as bowling cover in Wellington and played in the third T20I, stays for the final two matches.
When is the fourth T20I?
Friday, October 30, at Eden Park, Auckland. It is sold out, with more than 40,000 fans expected.
What is the series score?
India lead 3-0, after chasing 199 in 13.2 overs to win the third T20I in Wellington.
New Zealand still have two home games to salvage pride from this series, and a full Eden Park is the perfect stage. Whether a reshuffled attack can slow India down is the question the crowd will be waiting to have answered.
