Tickner, Ferguson out of India ODIs 3 & 4 as NZ injury crisis grows
Synopsis
New Zealand's already battered pace attack has lost two more bowlers — Lockie Ferguson to a calf tear and Blair Tickner to an ICC-mandated concussion stand-down — as India lead the five-match ODI series 2-0. With Conway, Ravindra, and Chapman also out, the hosts need a minor miracle just to stay competitive.
Key Takeaways
Lockie Ferguson is ruled out of the 3rd and 4th ODIs with a low-grade right calf tear sustained during the T20I series.
Blair Tickner is sidelined by the ICC's seven-day concussion stand-down protocol despite being cleared of concussion itself.
Bowling all-rounder Kristian Clarke has been added to the squad for the third ODI in Hamilton .
Matt Henry is targeting a return for the fourth ODI at Mount Maunganui after recovering from a right quadriceps tear.
Devon Conway , Rachin Ravindra , and Mark Chapman are also unavailable, extending NZ's injury list beyond the pace department.
India lead the series 2-0 ; New Zealand must win the third ODI in Hamilton to keep the five-match contest alive.
New Zealand's pace-bowling unit has been dealt a fresh blow ahead of the remaining matches of the India ODI series, with Lockie Ferguson and Blair Tickner confirmed unavailable for the third and fourth ODIs due to injury and concussion protocols. The dual absence further undermines a home side already trailing 0-2 in the five-match contest.
Ferguson and Tickner: Why They Are Out
Lockie Ferguson has been ruled out after failing to recover from a low-grade tear in his right calf, an injury he sustained during the preceding T20I series. The setback strips New Zealand of one of their most threatening pace options at a time when the series is slipping away.
Blair Tickner, meanwhile, was cleared of concussion following a blow to his helmet during the Wellington match — where he was substituted by Matt Fisher mid-game. Despite the all-clear on the concussion diagnosis itself, Tickner must complete the ICC-mandated seven-day stand-down period, which rules him out of the next two fixtures regardless.
Matt Henry Targets Return, Clarke Called Up
New Zealand have called up bowling all-rounder Kristian Clarke as cover, with the youngster joining the squad ahead of the third ODI in Hamilton. Clarke had already been pencilled in for the final two matches prior to the latest developments.
Pacer Matt Henry is targeting a return for the fourth ODI at Mount Maunganui. Henry has been managing a low-grade tear in his right quadriceps — an injury picked up during the second T20I — and was subsequently involved in a collision with Devon Conway ahead of the ODI series, though he was later cleared of concussion from that incident.
Squad Reshuffle and Test Transition
Originally, both Henry and Kyle Jamieson were expected to link up with New Zealand's Test squad in Wellington after the third ODI. Both will now remain with the ODI group through the fourth match. New Zealand Cricket has indicated two additional players will be brought into the squad for the final two fixtures.
The transition toward the upcoming Test assignment will begin after Wednesday's third ODI, with Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Glenn Phillips, and Nathan Smith scheduled to travel to Wellington for Test preparations. The Test squad announcement is expected shortly.
Full Injury Picture and Series Context
New Zealand's injury concerns extend well beyond the pace attack. Devon Conway has been ruled out of the entire series after suffering a concussion. Rachin Ravindra remains unavailable with a shoulder injury, while Mark Chapman is sidelined by a hamstring complaint.
This comes against the backdrop of New Zealand's 2-3 defeat in the preceding T20I series, making the home side's situation increasingly dire. With India firmly in control at 2-0, the hosts face a must-win third ODI in Hamilton to stay alive in the contest.
New Zealand squad for 3rd ODI: 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.
New Zealand squad for 4th ODI: Mitchell Santner (captain), Finn Allen, Michael Bracewell, Kristian Clarke, Jacob Duffy, Matt Fisher, Dean Foxcroft, Mitchell Hay, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Nick Kelly, Tim Seifert, Will Young.
With the series on the line and a depleted squad, New Zealand's ability to mount any comeback will hinge on whether Santner's depleted unit can produce a collective effort in Hamilton.
Point of View
And the timing could not be worse — a 0-2 deficit against an India side that has shown no signs of letting up. The loss of Ferguson is particularly damaging; his ability to generate raw pace is not something a reshaped attack can replicate with available cover. What is worth watching is whether this injury crisis accelerates a broader rethink of New Zealand Cricket's workload management, given that multiple players have broken down across back-to-back bilateral series. The transition to Test cricket, already under way with key players departing after the third ODI, risks leaving the ODI group without adequate experience for the final two matches.
NationPress
9 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Lockie Ferguson missing the 3rd and 4th ODIs against India?
Ferguson has been ruled out due to a low-grade tear in his right calf, an injury he picked up during the T20I series against India. He failed to recover in time for the remaining ODI fixtures.
Why is Blair Tickner unavailable despite being cleared of concussion?
Tickner was cleared of concussion following a helmet blow during the Wellington ODI, but the ICC's mandatory seven-day stand-down protocol still applies regardless of the concussion diagnosis outcome, ruling him out of the next two matches.
Who has New Zealand called up to cover the injuries?
Bowling all-rounder Kristian Clarke has been added to the squad as cover, joining ahead of the third ODI in Hamilton. Clarke had already been named for the fourth and fifth ODIs prior to the latest injuries.
When could Matt Henry return for New Zealand?
Matt Henry is targeting a comeback for the fourth ODI at Mount Maunganui. He has been recovering from a low-grade right quadriceps tear and a subsequent collision with Devon Conway, though he was cleared of concussion from the latter incident.
What is the current state of the India vs New Zealand ODI series?
India lead the five-match ODI series 2-0 following consecutive victories. New Zealand, who also lost the preceding T20I series 2-3, face a must-win situation in the third ODI in Hamilton to keep the contest alive.
