AUS vs NZ | Lockie Ferguson ruled out from remainder of Perth Test
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Lockie Ferguson will sit out throughout the remainder of the first Test against Australia, in Perth, after having sustained a calf strain during the proceedings of Day 1. Ferguson was taken to the hospital for scans on Thursday and on assessment ahead of Day 2, he was deemed unfit.
New Zealand's ace pacer Trent Boult's injury was already a huge blow on the team. That led to Ferguson, who impressed massively in limited-overs, getting incorporated into the squad. Boult was also away during the second Test against England in the recently-concluded home series. And now, New Zealand will be playing one man short in the ongoing first Test against Australia.
The paceman made his debut in Test Cricket after he was added to the playing XI of the series opener in Perth. However, Ferguson could only bowl 11 wicketless overs before being taken off the field, during the second session due to a strain on his right calf. The debutant never returned to bowl in the third session as he was rushed to the hospital for MRI scans. The tests then confirmed a right calf muscle-tendon strain, according to the Black Caps' official Twitter handle, which would keep from bowling in the remaining four days of the Test.
The Tweet also included that they are awaiting a report that will contain further information about the further actions to be taken for the bowler's recovery.
At Stumps of Day 1, Australia looked strong at 248-4 as Marnus Labuschagne scored an unbeaten 110.
INJURY UPDATE: An MRI scan has confirmed a right calf muscle-tendon strain for Lockie Ferguson which will prevent him bowling in the remainder of the 1st Test, although he is available to bat. Awaiting a further report which will inform the next steps of his recovery #AUSvNZ
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) December 13, 2019
