Lockie Ferguson, a seasoned speedster, will not be playing for New Zealand in the Champions Trophy 2025. The 33-year-old’s right foot issue has forced him to miss the competition.
Kyle Jamieson has been approved by the Champions Trophy 2025 Event Technical Committee to replace Ferguson in the New Zealand team.
Before a player may be formally added to the squad, the Event Technical Committee must approve their replacement.
Wasim Khan (ICC General Manager – Cricket), Sarah Edgar (ICC Senior Manager – Events), Usman Wahla (PCB Director – International Cricket Operations), and Shaun Pollock (Independent Representative) make up the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 Event Technical Committee.
At first, Ferguson was part of the 15-person team for the eight-team competition. While recovering from the injury, he did not participate in the tri-nation series between South Africa and Pakistan. The veteran will have to watch his team from the sidelines, though, suggesting that he has lost the race against time.
We are so sad for Lockie. We know how excited Lockie was to represent New Zealand at another important event. He is an important member of the bowling squad and provides a wealth of major tournament experience. The New Zealand Herald cited New Zealand head coach Gary Stead as stating, “We wish him well for his recovery and hope he is back firing soon.”
After a 10-month recovery from a stress fracture in his back, Jamieson made his domestic cricket comeback in December, playing for the Canterbury Kings in the Dream11 Super Smash. With 14 wickets, including 4/12 against the Central Stags at Hagley Oval, he finished as the competition’s joint-second-leading wicket-taker and was instrumental in the Kings’ run to the Grand Final.
In February 2024, Jamieson played his final Test match for New Zealand at the Bay Oval against South Africa.
On Wednesday, February 19, New Zealand will play Pakistan in Karachi to kick off their Champions Trophy campaign.