Hamstring injury rules Lockie Ferguson out of first ODI against Sri Lanka; raises major concern for Kolkata Knight Riders

Lockie Ferguson. (Photo by MICHAEL BRADLEY/AFP via Getty Images)

Ahead of the start of the three-match ODI series between hosts New Zealand and Sri Lanka, the Black Caps have got off to the worst possible beginning as seamer Lockie Ferguson will miss the first fixture due to an injury.

The 31-year-old tearaway pacer was due to play the first ODI before joining two of his Kiwi teammates in Finn Allen and Glenn Phillips on the flight to India to compete in the Indian Premier League (IPL) which is scheduled to begin on March 31.

A hamstring injury and failing the fitness test has put Ferguson out of contention for the first match against the Island nation.

However, a replacement for the star pacer is yet to be named. His absence from the first ODI will put added pressure on the likes of Blair Tickner and Matt Henry, as Ferguson’s experience would be missed badly.

The extent of the injury is currently unknown, and this could prove to be bad news for Kolkata Knight Riders ahead of the upcoming 2023 IPL as well. Ferguson has played 35 IPL matches so far and taken 36 wickets in the process. If he does end up missing the first few matches for KKR, the franchise would be in a jeopardy.

Problems continue to pile up for KKR ahead of IPL 2023

The 2023 IPL will see Kolkata Knight Riders take on Punjab Kings in their first game of the competition on Saturday, April 2. The two-time champions will be without skipper Shreyas Iyer, who could reportedly miss the tournament due to a recurring back injury.

Following Iyer’s injury, KKR could be in even more trouble with Lockie Ferguson’s hamstring problem. If Ferguson does end up missing a few games, KKR will be entirely dependent on the services of Tim Southee to spearhead the bowling attack for the side. KKR also yet to name a skipper in case Shreyas misses out of IPL 2023.

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