Double injury blow for New Zealand as Lockie Ferguson and Matt Henry ruled out of T20I series vs India
New Delhi: New Zealand have been dealt a double injury blow ahead of the penultimate 4th T20I against as pacers Lockie Ferguson and Matt Henry have been ruled out of the remainder of the five-match series. New Zealand coach Rob Walter recently confirmed that both pacers have been sidelined from the remaining two matches.
India have already sealed the series with an unassailable 3-0 lead and will be looking to make it four wins on the trot when they take on the Kiwis in the 4th T20I on Friday. The double injury blow puts further pressure on , who are yet to get off the mark in the series.
Ferguson suffered a low-grade tear in his right calf during the 2nd T20I in Christchurch, while Henry suffered an injury to his right quadriceps. Henry is expected to remain on the sidelines for a couple of weeks while Ferguson might take one more week to recover.
“We’re gutted for Lockie and Matt,” New Zealand head coach Rob Walter said.
“Injuries are part and parcel of international cricket, but it doesn’t make it any easier when you have to miss games,” he added.
New Zealand have roped in pacer Matt Fisher to replace Ferguson and will be hopeful of the two pacers recovering in time for the upcoming ODI series against India, which gets underway on November 04. Walter revealed that Henry was already expected to sit out of the remaining two T20Is as part of his workload management.
India aim to continue domination in T20I series
India will be aiming to continue their domination in the series when they lock horns with New Zealand in the 4th T20I on Friday. The visitors have won the first three games on the trot after chasing down the targets of 226, 181 and 199 runs, respectively.
India’s top order has been firing on all cylinders in the series, with the likes of Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi all in good form. Tilak Varma and Naman Dhir have stepped up in the middle order, making it a series to forget for the hosts.
In the 3rd T20I on Tuesday, Abhishek slammed a blistering knock of 113 runs off just 38 balls and, combined with his opening partner Sooryavanshi (45) helped India make light work of the 199-run target and seal the series with a dominant six-wicket win.