Big blow to New Zealand! Hat-trick hero ruled out of ODI series against Sri Lanka due to calf injury, 32-year-old pacer named replacement

Lockie Ferguson returned from a hamstring injury for the limited-overs series but injured his calf in the second T20I where he took a hat-trick.

Sports Tak

• Tue • 12 Nov 2024

New Zealand's Lockie Ferguson (L) and Adam Milne (R) react during the second T20I between New Zealand and Australia at Eden Park in Auckland on February 23, 2024.

Lockie Ferguson, Adam Milne

Highlights:

Adam Milne played his last ODI in December 2023.

Milne has just one wicket from four ODIs on Sri Lankan soil.

The ODI series will begin on November 12.

New Zealand's hat-trick hero in the second T20I, Lockie Ferguson has been ruled out of the ODI series against Sri Lanka due to a calf injury. Ferguson who made a comeback after recovering from a hamstring injury, sustained a calf injury during the second T20I when he helped New Zealand defend 108 and level the series.

"We're gutted for Lockie," New Zealand head coach Gary Stead said, "He showed in the space of just two overs what an asset he is with the ball and he's also brought a lot of leadership to this group, so he'll be a big miss heading into an important ODI series for us. To be ruled out so early in a tour is always tough to take, but we're hopeful his recovery will be short and he'll be back out on the field in no time."

Ferguson's replacement

In Ferguson's absence, Adam Milne has been called in as replacement. Milne made his last ODI appearance against Bangladesh at home in 2023. From 39 ODIs, he has 57 wickets at ana verage of 35.56. The 32-year-old pacer has just one wicket from four ODIs on Sri Lankan soil. The last time he played an ODI in Sri Lanka was in 2013.

"Adam is a like-for-like replacement who brings genuine pace and plenty of international experience, so we're looking forward to welcoming him into the group."

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Head-to-head in ODIs

The ODI series will commence on November 13 at Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium. New Zealand have won 52 out of 102 ODIs against Sri Lanka while one ended in a tie and there was no result in eight games.

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However, New Zealand have been able to win just six out of 27 ODIs on Sri Lankan soil whereas four ended in no result. The last time New Zealand won an ODI series on Sri Lankan soil was in 1984.

New Zealand's updated ODI squad -

Mark Chapman, Glenn Phillips, Tim Robinson, Will Yong, Henry Nicholls, Michael Bracewell, Josh Clarkson, Dean Foxcroft, Mitchell Santner (c), Nathan Smith, Mitch Hay, Jacob Duffy, Ish Sodhi, Zakary Foulkes, Ish Sodhi, Adam Milne