SL vs NZ: New Zealand hat-trick hero Ferguson ruled out of ODI series against Sri Lanka with calf injury

The team said Lockie Ferguson would return to New Zealand for scans and rehab, scratching him from the three-match ODI series starting in Dambulla on Wednesday.

New Zealand’s Lockie Ferguson celebrates the wicket of Sri Lanka’s Kamindu Mendis during the second Twenty20 cricket match between Sri Lanka and New Zealand. | Photo Credit: AP

New Zealand pacer Lockie Ferguson has been ruled out of the one-day international series against Sri Lanka after suffering a calf strain in the second Twenty20 match.

Ferguson was struck down with the injury soon after becoming his nation’s sixth bowler to take a T20 hat-trick as New Zealand won by five runs in Dambulla on Sunday to split the series 1-1.

The team said he would return to New Zealand for scans and rehab, scratching him from the three-match ODI series starting in Dambulla on Wednesday.

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“We’re gutted for Lockie,” New Zealand head coach Gary Stead said in a statement on Tuesday.

“He showed in the space of just two overs what an asset he is with the ball and he’s also brought a lot of leadership to this group, so he’ll be a big miss heading into an important ODI series for us.”

Adam Milne will replace Ferguson in the squad.

“Adam is a like-for-like replacement who brings genuine pace and plenty of international experience, so we’re looking forward to welcoming him into the group,” said Stead.