Lockie Ferguson Injured before Champions Trophy 2025: Only a few hours are left for the Champions Trophy to begin, but the problems of the New Zealand cricket team are not reducing. After Ben Sears, now another Kiwi fast bowler is out of the tournament due to injury. Experienced right-handed pacer Lockie Ferguson will not be able to play in the Champions Trophy due to a strain in his leg muscle, Kyle Jamieson has been included in the squad in his place.

Ferguson was also not part of the tri-series against South Africa and Pakistan, but he was expected to play in the Champions Trophy. Stead had told a few days ago that Ferguson has started training and his injury is improving. New Zealand is to face defending champion Pakistan in the first match of the tournament on Wednesday in Karachi and before that Ferguson has been found unfit.

Kyle Jamieson as Replacement for Lockie Ferguson

A statement issued by the New Zealand Cricket Board said that Canterbury Kings fast bowler Kyle Jamieson will replace Ferguson in the team and will leave for Pakistan by Tuesday evening today. Jamieson made a brilliant comeback to domestic cricket for Canterbury Kings in the Dream 11 Super Smash in December after being away from the field for 10 months due to a back injury.

Jamieson has played 45 international matches for New Zealand and won the Player of the Match award for the Black Caps in their victory at the inaugural ICC World Test Championship Final against India in 2021, he hasn't featured in an ODI since he played against Bangladesh in Mirpur in September 2023.

New Zealand Squad: Mitchell Santner (c), Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Will O’Rourke, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Nathan Smith, Kane Williamson, Will Young.