February 8, Sharjah, UAE: Prior to the Kiwis’ tri-nation series against South Africa in Pakistan, bowler Lockie Ferguson of New Zealand hurt his hamstring playing in the International League T20 (ILT20), making him uncertain for the ICC Champions Trophy.

Ferguson had to leave the field with one ball remaining in his term and the innings on Wednesday when leading Desert Vipers against Dubai Capitals in the first qualifier, according to ESPNCricinfo. Mohammed Amir, a former pacer for Pakistan, completed the over for him. DC advanced to the finals with a victory.

Ferguson said after the game, as cited by ESPNCricinfo, “It’s sad that he had a little hamstring problem. I wish I could have bowled the last ball, but it was a difficult night.

According to NZ coach Gary Stead, Ferguson had scans the following day to assess the extent of the injury. More information on the pacer’s fitness is anticipated by Kiwis.

Stead said, “Lockie had a scan yesterday [Thursday] in the UAE,” just before Friday’s tri-series start against Pakistan.

“We are awaiting a report from our radiologist on the breadth of the photographs that we have here. It seems that Lockie has a little hamstring problem, so we are only awaiting a timeframe of advise about that before deciding whether to send him to Pakistan or replace him for the Champions Trophy.”

Ferguson is the most seasoned pacer in the New Zealand team, which is currently transitioning from the heyday of Trent Boult, Tim Southee, and Matt Henry to bringing in a new generation of fast bowlers. With 65 games and 99 ODI wickets under his belt, his absence from the Champions Trophy would be a major blow to the Kiwis’ campaign.

The Wellington bowler Ben Sears is making his way back into the squad after knee surgery that prevented him from playing in home series against England and Sri Lanka as well as Test matches in India. Sears is uncapped in ODIs despite having played 17 T20Is and one Test.

Ferguson was also absent from Friday’s ILT20 elimination match between the Desert Vipers and Tim Southee’s Sharjah Warriors, where Sam Curran led the team in his stead. Curran disclosed during the toss that Lockie is hurt, but he hasn’t told the club how bad the ailment is.

Ferguson has participated in eight games during his first ILT20 season, taking 11 wickets at an average of 18.18. The franchise is keeping a close eye on his workload.

Vipers’ director of cricket, Tom Moody, said on the Vipers Voices podcast in January, “We have tried to manage the players with rotation of quicks as much as we possibly can.”

Luke Wood, Mohammad Amir, and Lockie Ferguson have all had time to relax and refuel today. However, it is a rather demanding schedule, and although physical exhaustion is a factor, mental exhaustion is likely to be more significant.

Additionally, there hasn’t been an opportunity to really de-engage and psychologically recharge. However, such is the fact of cricket tournaments. Everybody is attempting to fit a competition within a certain time frame. And it results in a somewhat demanding timetable. And knowing that, we came in anticipating it,” Moody said.

Stead made a suggestion that the seamers would be rotated and given enough recovery throughout the tri-series, since the Champions Trophy is less than two weeks away and the Kiwis would play Pakistan in the tournament opener on February 19 in Karachi. NZ will face South Africa in Lahore on February 10 after Saturday’s series opener. The final will be held in Karachi on February 14.

“I think it [selection] will depend on how people shape up, especially the bowlers after this first game and what their loads are like and then what the conditions are like as well,” Stead said.

“Asia is not as hot as you would have assumed. Bowlers may be more exhausted if they bowl during the hottest part of the day since it still gets rather chilly here in the nights. Given that the Champions Trophy is the major competition, we will just handle that and avoid it. He went on, “We want to make sure that everyone is fit and firing for that.”

Returns of hitters Devon Conway and Kane Williamson, who completed their franchise agreements with the Joburg Super Kings (JSK) and Durban Super Giants (DSG) in the current SA20, would help New Zealand. Seamer Jacob Duffy, who was included in the squad to cover for Ferguson, may be considered for selection if he stays out of action.

Despite declining a central contract and not playing in an ODI since the 2023 World Cup, Ferguson was included in New Zealand’s Champions Trophy team. Teams may still alter their Champions Trophy rosters until February 12.

New Zealand team for the tri-nation series:

Mitchell Santner (captain), Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Will O’Rourke, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Ben Sears, Nathan Smith, Kane Williamson, Will Young, and Jacob Duffy (tri-series only) are the members of the New Zealand team for the tri-series and Champions Trophy.