Australia vs New Zealand: Lockie Ferguson Ruled Out Of Test Series With Calf Strain

Lockie Ferguson suffered a calf strain on the very first day of his Test career and has now been ruled out of the entire series with Australia.

New Zealand fast bowler Lockie Ferguson, injured during his debut Test in Perth, has been ruled out for the remainder of the Test series in Australia. Lockie Ferguson pulled up with a calf strain on Day 1 of the first Test at the WACA. New Zealand Cricket's official handle tweeted on Monday that the pacer will return to New Zealand and will need four to six weeks for rehabilitation. "Lockie Ferguson is returning home from Australia after sustaining a grade two right calf-muscle tendon strain while bowling in the 1st Test in Perth," the Blackcaps tweeted.

New Zealand were already without Trent Boult going into the Perth Test and Ferguson's early injury meant that Neil Wagner and Tim Southee had to shoulder a lion's share of the visitors' bowling, with Colin de Grandhomme adding some support. But New Zealand were crushed thanks to a Marnus Labuschagne century and Mitchell Starc's nine wickets on a challenging pitch and Australia registered a massive 296-run victory to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

Speaking after the match, New Zealand captain Kane Williamson said that Trent Boult should be back in time for the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne. This test can be watched live here.

Australia pacer Josh Hazlewood also suffered a hamstring injury during Day 2 of the first Test. He remains a doubt for the remainder of the series as well.