New Zealand began their ICC T20 World Cup 2021 campaign without Lockie Ferguson after the pacer was ruled out of the tournament due to a calf tear. Ferguson will be replaced by another quickie Adam Milne, New Zealand Cricket said in a statement before the team’s opening game against Pakistan in Sharjah on Tuesday. “Ferguson felt tightness in his right calf following training and a subsequent MRI scan on game-day revealed a grade two tear which would require three to four weeks recovery,” the NZC statement said.

New Zealand have five games lined up in 13 days, and coach Gary Stead said they had no option but to rule out Ferguson due to the tight schedule.

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“It’s a real shame for Lockie to have this happen on the eve of the tournament and the entire team is really feeling for him right now,” Stead said. “He’s a massive part of our T20 side and has been in such good form – so to lose him at this time is a blow.to approval from the ICC’s technical committee.

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“However, we are fortunate to have a like for like replacement in the form of Adam Milne who has been with the squad training for the past two weeks.”

Milne is already in the UAE with the team as traveling injury cover. However, he won’t be available to play until approval from the ICC technical committee.

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Ferguson played eight matches for Kolkata Knight Riders in the UAE leg of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021, while Milne played only three games for Mumbai Indians. Ferguson took 13 wickets at an economy of 7.46, while Milne took three wickets.

Ferguson took 1 for 19 in the second of New Zealand’s pre-tournament warm-up games against England on October 20. New Zealand will next face India on October 31 in the T20 World Cup.