During New Zealand’s final group stage match on Tuesday, Ferguson will not be available for selection but the cricketer is expected to return to the subcontinent for the Super Eights should they qualify. Walter has said the Kiwis will not name a replacement for Ferguson as the traveling reserves are already with the team if the need arises for further stages of the tournament.
‘It’s an incredibly exciting time for Lockie and Emma [Ferguson’s wife]and we are happy that he will be home for such a special occasion. At this stage we will not be replacing Lockie in the squad as the intention is for him to return for the Super Eight stage of the tournament. But our traveling reserves, Ben Sears and Cole McConchie are ready to be called into the squad if we need them,” Walter told ESPNcricinfo.
The match between New Zealand and Canada will take center stage at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Tuesday, February 17, and a win in this match will confirm qualification for the Super Eights for Mitchell Santner & Co. They currently sit in second place in the table, having won two of the three matches they have played. Their only defeat so far was against South Africa at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad.
With Ferguson unavailable, the Kiwis may be tempted to go for a long pacer Kyle Jamieson in their final group stage match. Jamieson was not originally part of the squad, but came into the unit as a replacement for the injured Adam Milne. He would want to prove his worth as opportunities may elude him in the future stages of the 20-team tournament.
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