Lockie Ferguson to take six weeks of rest after suffering partial stress fracture to lumbar spine

New Zealand Cricket has revealed that pacer Lockie Ferguson has been diagnosed with a partial stress fracture to his lumbar spine which will take four to six weeks of rest for complete rehabilitation.

The pacer sustained an injury on the left side of his back, which surfaced during the T20I series against the West Indies, and has been sidelined since then. As the doctor diagnosed the fracture, he will now not be available for the Pakistan series as well as the Super Smash where he represents Auckland Aces.

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Although Ferguson doesn’t have to go through surgery, he needs ‘a period of rest and rehabilitation’ before being tested to join the squad for the series against Bangladesh and Australia.

Stead stands firm with Ferguson

“We’re all really feeling for Lockie. Injuries are certainly part of our sport, but to get something like this when you’re at the very top of your game is especially disappointing,” New Zealand coach Gary Stead said in an NZC release.

“The pace and skill he’s been able to consistently produce have made him one of the very best white-ball bowlers in the world and a huge asset for the Blackcaps. Lockie has a great attitude and I know he’s up for the fight so he’ll get stuck into the rehab and we’re still hopeful he may get back on the park at the back end of summer.”

New Zealand will play Pakistan from tomorrow before taking on Australia and Bangladesh – the itinerary of which has not been announced yet.