IPL 2023: Lockie Ferguson – Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) received the worst possible news as star pacer Lockie Ferguson is likely to miss a few games of IPL due to a hamstring injury. New Zealand bowling coach Shane Jurgensen confirmed the same saying, that the pacer pulled up with concern after his first-class game for Auckland. Ferguson is ruled out from the opening ODI against Sri Lanka on Saturday (March 25). Ferguson’s news comes as a dampener to KKR, as the side is already without skipper Shreyas Iyer who is ruled over due to back injury. Follow IPL 2023 Live Updates with InsideSport.IN.
“Post the four-day game he played for Auckland, some stiffness started to occur,” said Jurgensen.
“Over the course of the last week, it’s been determined and he felt that a 50 over game with the demand on his body, for the team it’s best he sits out [of] this one.”
Ferguson was supposed to play the first ODI before he and the rest of the IPL-bound team players depart for the 16th season of the tournament. However, the right-arm fast bowler’s hamstring has put those plans on hold for time being.
IPL 2023: Why Ferguson’s injury could be the worst possible news for KKR
· KKR is heavily banking on Ferguson to provide breakthroughs upfront as Pat Cummins and Tim Southee struggled to pick wickets in power play last season.
· The New Zealand pacer had a productive IPL 2022 season with Gujarat Titans, picking 12 wickets in 14 matches.
· Ferguson also bowled the fastest delivery of the IPL 2022 season clocking 157.3.
· Not only in the powerplay, but the Kiwi speedster is effective In the death overs as well.
NZ bowling Jurgensen feels it’s too soon to speak on Ferguson’s participation in IPL.
“I don’t think so,” he continued. He’s tried his best with a programme with me to lift his bowling loading to be in a position to play four-day cricket. That’s certainly something we’ll monitor and look after in the future. But there’s no ongoing concerns.”
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