Why is Lockie Ferguson not playing NZ vs SL 1st ODI? Check here

Sri Lanka’s tour of New Zealand has now reached into the ODIs. The first of the three ODIs will be played at the Eden Park in Auckland on March 25. Ahead of the first ODI, the Blackcaps have received a big blow in the form of Lockie Ferguson who has been ruled out of the first ODI due to a hamstring injury.

Why is Lockie Ferguson not playing?

As mentioned above, a hamstring injury will keep Lockie out of the series as he was named only for the first ODI. Ferguson has been a consistent performer for the BLACKCAPS in limited-overs cricket, picking up 69 wickets in 43 ODIs at an average of 24.6. His economy rate of 5.35 and strike rate of 27.6 also make him one of the most effective bowlers in the format.

Ben Lister named as replacement

Ben Lister has been called up as a replacement for Lockie Ferguson. The left-arm pacer was originally selected for the second and third ODIs but will now be with the squad for the entire series. Lister has been in good form for the Aces in domestic cricket. He has picked up 11 wickets in 7 List A games at an average of 31.54. Lister will have big shoes to fill in the absence of Ferguson but has shown promise in domestic cricket and will be eager to make a mark at the international level.

Tom Latham to lead the side

New Zealand has named a 16-man squad for the 3-match series against Sri Lanka. Regular skipper Kane Williamson along with players like Tim Southee and Devon Conway have been released from the squad to join their respective IPL franchises. Check out the ODI squad below,

NZ Squad: Tom Latham (c), Finn Allen (1st ODI), Tom Blundell, Chad Bowes, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman (2nd and 3rd ODI), Ben Lister (2nd and 3rd ODI), Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls (2nd and 3rd ODI), Blair Tickner, Will Young, Glenn Phillips (1st ODI), Henry Shipley, Matt Henry, Ish Sodhi.