Daijiworld Media Network - Auckland

Auckland, Oct 29: New Zealand have suffered a setback ahead of the fourth T20 International against India, with fast bowler Lockie Ferguson ruled out of the final two matches of the series due to a right calf injury.

The fourth T20I is scheduled to be played at Eden Park in Auckland on October 30. Ferguson featured in the first two matches but experienced pain in his right calf during the second T20I. Subsequent scans revealed a low-grade tear, and he is expected to need another week to recover.

New Zealand Cricket (NZC) has named Matthew Fisher as Ferguson’s replacement for the remaining two T20Is. Fisher had joined the squad as injury cover in Wellington and was initially scheduled to play against India A.

New Zealand are also without Matt Henry and Kyle Jamieson for the T20I series due to minor injuries. Both fast bowlers are, however, on track to be available for the upcoming five-match ODI series.

New Zealand head coach Rob Walter expressed disappointment over the injuries but acknowledged that they were part of international cricket.

“We're gutted for Lockie and Matt. Injuries are part and parcel of international cricket, but it doesn't make it any easier when you have to miss games. 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're hopeful he'll still play a key role in the ODIs,” Walter was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.

He added that Ferguson had been looking forward to playing in front of a packed home crowd at Eden Park but remained determined to return for the ODI series.