New Zealand has suffered a major setback ahead of their ICC Champions Trophy 2025 campaign, with Lockie Ferguson ruled out of the tournament due to a foot injury. Ferguson’s absence will see him replaced by fellow pacer Kyle Jamieson for the duration of the tournament, as New Zealand looks to adjust their squad just a day before their opening match against Pakistan.
Lockie Ferguson, who was already dealing with a hamstring injury before arriving in Pakistan for the Champions Trophy, injured his right foot during a warm-up fixture against Afghanistan.
The pacer was a key member of New Zealand’s bowling attack, and his absence will undoubtedly impact the team’s pace options in the tournament. Kyle Jamieson, who has 45 international appearances to his name, including a standout performance in the 2021 ICC World Test Championship Final against India, steps in as Ferguson’s replacement. Despite Jamieson’s impressive record, he has not played an ODI since September 2023 against Bangladesh.
Ferguson’s injury is the latest in a series of setbacks for New Zealand, who also had to replace Ben Sears earlier this week due to injury, bringing in Jacob Duffy as a replacement. These disruptions will test the resilience of New Zealand’s pace attack as they head into a crucial tournament, facing challenges in a competition that features some of the best teams in the world.
The Black Caps will face hosts Pakistan in the tournament opener tomorrow, in what promises to be an exciting contest. Despite the injuries, New Zealand’s squad remains a strong contender, with key players like Mitchell Santner, Kane Williamson, and Matt Henry available to bolster their chances. The Kiwis will also take confidence from their recent triumph in the tri-nation series as they look to mount a charge in the Champions Trophy.
The final squad for New Zealand is as follows:
| Player Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Mitchell Santner (c) | Captain, All-rounder |
| Michael Bracewell | All-rounder |
| Mark Chapman | Batter |
| Devon Conway | Wicketkeeper-Batter |
| Jacob Duffy | Bowler |
| Matt Henry | Bowler |
| Kyle Jamieson | Bowler |
| Tom Latham | Wicketkeeper-Batter |
| Daryl Mitchell | Batting All-rounder |
| Will O’Rourke | Bowler |
| Glenn Phillips | Batter |
| Rachin Ravindra | Batting All-rounder |
| Nathan Smith | All-rounder |
| Kane Williamson | Batter |
| Will Young | Batter |
With a revised bowling attack, New Zealand will hope that Kyle Jamieson can return to his best form as they look to challenge Pakistan and the other top teams in the tournament.
