Already trailing by 3-0 in the five-T20I series, New Zealand have faced a major blow ahead of the fourth T20I. Pacer Lockie Ferguson has been ruled out of the remainder of the T20I series. The pacer had complained of pain in his right calf during the second T20I and left the field after bowling three overs. Scans have confirmed a low-grade tear, and he will need at least a week to recover from the injury.
Ferguson was not picked for the first three games of the five-ODI series against India. He was named in the squad for the last two ODIs as Kiwi Test bowlers will start their preparation for the two-Test series. With two weeks to go for the fourth ODI at Mount Maunganui, Ferguson's participation is subject to fitness. The last two ODIs will be played at the same venue on November 13 and 15.
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New Zealand head coach Rob Walter is gutted to lose the services of Ferguson and Matt Henry as well. He hopes that both players are fit for the ODI series.
“We’re gutted for Lockie and Matt,” said Walter. “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.
“I know Lockie was fizzing to play in front of a sell-out home crowd at Eden Park tomorrow, but he’s determined to be back for the ODIs.”
Meanwhile, Kyle Jamieson has been released from the T20I squad. Jamieson will play a Ford Trophy match in Wellington to prepare for the ODI series.
Who replaces Ferguson in the T20I squad?
Matthew Fisher, who has called in as cover for the third T20I, will remain with the T20I squad. Fisher had bowled just one over, conceded 23 runs, and broke the opening partnership with Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's wicket. He had created a chance to dismiss Abhishek Sharma as well, but the opener’s catch was dropped by skipper Mitchell Santner.
New Zealand’s updated squad for the rest of the T20I series vs India -
Tim Seifert (wk), Finn Allen, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Bevon Jacobs, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (c), Nathan Smith, Adam Milne, Blair Tickner, Josh Clarkson, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Matthew Fisher.
Change in New Zealand A squad
With Fisher in the T20I squad, New Zealand A have called up Brett Randell for the second unofficial Test against India A. Randell holds the record for taking five wickets in five consecutive balls, a one-of-a-kind record in first-class cricket. The Central Stags pacer has played 44 first-class matches so far and bagged 133 wickets, averaging 24.36, featuring four five-wicket hauls and four four-fers. He has over 1,000 runs from 71 innings, including five half-centuries.
New Zealand A’s updated squad for 2nd match vs India A
Rhys Mariu (c), Matt Boyle, Kristian Clarke, Dean Foxcroft, Zak Gibson, Mitch Hay (wk), Curtis Heaphy, Simon Keene, Jayden Lennox, Jarrod McKay, Tim Robinson, Fraser Sheat, Brett Randell.
How will New Zealand's pace attack look for 4th T20I?
The fourth T20I will be played at Eden Park, Auckland. New Zealand are still searching for their first win of the series. Santner will be looking to solve the powerplay problem. The off-spin and short-ball ploys did not work against Abhishek Sharma and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in the previous T20I, as they piled on a record-breaking 188 runs in six overs.
Jacob Duffy, their best T20I bowler last year, has an economy rate of 14.58 runs per over. No pacer in the current squad has more than one wicket in the series. With Ferguson and Henry already out of the series, Adam Milne can come into the side. Also, Blair Tickner may get a chance in Jamieson's absence. As Fisher has been retained, he is expected to play in the third T20I as well. Other fast-bowling options for the Kiwis are Nathan Smith and Josh Clarkson. Smith had played in the first two T20Is, bowled five overs, conceded 54 runs and took one wicket.
Will Iyer make changes to the playing XI?
India went in with an unchanged playing eleven for the third T20I of the series. As Shreyas Iyer-led India have already taken an unassailable 3-0 lead in the series, they may make a few changes. It is not clear whether Ishan Kishan has regained full fitness. If Kishan is not fit, Sooryavanshi may continue to play. Otherwise, the 15-year-old may be benched to make way for Kishan, putting Sanju Samson in the opening slot again.
India's bowling lineup has been pace-heavy so far. The last two T20Is may see India's specialist spinners Varun Chakaravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav taking the field. While Kuldeep played two T20Is in the home series against West Indies, Chakaravarthy hasn't played a T20I since the series against Afghanistan in Delhi. Kuldeep has just one T20I appearance, seven years ago, where he took a couple of wickets for 26 runs. Chakaravarthy is yet to play a T20I on New Zealand soil.
Also, Shivam Dube is yet to play a game this season. So far, Nitish Kumar Reddy has been impressive as a finisher and a pacer in Kiwi conditions. Dhir has shown his mettle as a finisher as well. In addition, his off-spin has come in handy. Earlier this month, Dube had featured in three T20Is. He got to bat and bowl in the Ranchi T20I where he scored seven runs from 10 balls at no.4 and conceded 30 runs from two overs.
Ahead of the fourth T20I, Tilak Varma has revealed that he is willing to roll his arm over whenever he gets the opportunity. The vice-captain says he has been bowling in the nets. He praised Dhir, whose bowling is the reason why Varma hasn't bowled much of late.