New Zealand pacer Lockie Ferguson has been ruled out of the last two ODIs against India.

New Zealand could receive some relief with Matt Henry targeting a return for the fourth ODI.

New Zealand’s injury concerns have deepened ahead of the remaining matches against India, forcing the team management to make further changes to its ODI plans. While Lockie Ferguson will miss the fourth and fifth matches, Blair Tickner‘s absence creates an immediate challenge for the Black Caps as they prepare for the third ODI.

Why is Lockie Ferguson missing the India ODIs?

Ferguson has been ruled out of the final two ODIs after failing to recover completely from a low-grade tear in his right calf. The fast bowler sustained the injury during the preceding T20I series against India and has not regained full fitness.

His absence is a significant setback for New Zealand, particularly with the hosts needing victories to keep the ODI series alive. Ferguson’s pace and experience could have been valuable in the closing matches, especially against India’s experienced batting lineup.

The New Zealand management will now have to rely on its available fast bowlers and consider further squad changes to maintain balance in the attack.

Blair Tickner to miss two matches under ICC Protocol

Tickner’s situation is different from Ferguson’s injury-related withdrawal. The New Zealand fast bowler was struck on the helmet while batting during the second ODI in Wellington and was subsequently replaced by Matt Fisher.

Although Tickner has been cleared of concussion, he must complete the ICC’s mandatory seven-day stand-down period because he was substituted out of the match. Consequently, he will miss the third ODI in Hamilton and the fourth match at Mount Maunganui.

To cover Tickner’s absence, New Zealand have brought in bowling all-rounder Kristian Clarke ahead of the third ODI. Clarke was already part of the plans for the final two matches, but his inclusion in the third-game squad gives the hosts an additional option.

Matt Henry targets return for fourth ODI

New Zealand could receive some relief with Matt Henry targeting a return for the fourth ODI. The experienced pacer sustained a low-grade tear in his right quadriceps during the second T20I and was involved in a collision with Devon Conway before the ODI series.

Henry was initially cleared of concussion but was reassessed in Wellington and advised to aim for a comeback in the fourth match.

Kyle Jamieson will also remain with the ODI squad for that game. Both players were initially expected to join New Zealand’s Test squad after the third ODI, but the team’s injury situation has altered those plans.

Meanwhile, Conway has been ruled out of the ODI series following a concussion, while Rachin Ravindra and Mark Chapman are unavailable because of shoulder and hamstring injuries, respectively.

India hold advantage in the ODI series

India won the opening ODI in Auckland by five wickets under the DLS method before securing a four-run victory in a rain-affected second match in Wellington. The visitors now lead the five-match series 2-0.

The third ODI will take place in Hamilton on November 10, followed by the fourth and fifth matches at Mount Maunganui on November 13 and 15.

New Zealand’s updated squads for the third and fourth ODIs against India

3rd ODI squad: Mitchell Santner (captain), Michael Bracewell, Kristian Clarke, Jacob Duffy, Matt Fisher, Kyle Jamieson, Nick Kelly, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Glenn Phillips, Tim Seifert, Nathan Smith, Will Young.

4th ODI squad: Mitchell Santner (captain), Finn Allen, Michael Bracewell, Kristian Clarke, Jacob Duffy, Matt Fisher, Dean Foxcroft, Mitch Hay, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Nick Kelly, Tim Seifert, Will Young.