The New Zealand team got bad news before the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 kicked off. New Zealand Star bowler Lockie Ferguson is suffering from the injury of his right foot and can’t play in the tournament. Kyle Jamieson will replace him in the squad.

Till now Kyle Jamieson has played 45 matches for New Zealand team. Jamieson shined in the ICC World Test Championship Final win against India in 2021. Yet, Kyle Jamieson hasn’t played an ODI since the Bangladesh match in Mirpur last September 2023.

Losing Ferguson is tough for New Zealand. They also lost Ben Sears earlier this week. Jacob Duffy will step in and take Sears’ spot on the team.

New Zealand Squad for ICC Champions Trophy 2025

1. Mitchell Santner (c)
2. Michael Bracewell
3. Mark Chapman
4. Devon Conway
5. Jacob Duffy
6. Matt Henry
7. Kyle Jamieson
8. Tom Latham
9. Daryl Mitchell
10. Will O’Rourke
11. Glenn Phillips
12. Rachin Ravindra
13. Nathan Smith
14. Kane Williamson
15. Will Young 

Source: ICC Cricket

Lockie Ferguson’s Stats: 

Maybe his ODI numbers don’t look great, but Ferguson’s worth is more than just stats. His raw speed, fierce style, and bounce make him a game-changer. He’s a real threat and gives New Zealand a key option in their bowling line-up.

Injury Update:

 Lockie Ferguson will not be playing in the Champions Trophy 2025 due to a foot injury. No detailed info on the injury yet, but it’s serious enough to sideline him from ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Foot injuries can be tough on fast bowlers because of all the strain. Healing time can change based on how bad it is.

How Bad is the Injury?

It’s hard to say how bad it is without more info. But since he’s out of Champions Trophy 2025, it seems pretty serious. This is a huge loss for New Zealand because Ferguson is a vital bowler for them in short-format games.

Looking at Kyle Jamieson’s Stats:

The average may not look impressive right away. But the real story is deeper. Kyle Jamieson’s main strength is causing chances for wickets with his height, bounce, and swing. His Test record (19 matches, 80 wickets with an average of 19.73) shows his true skill, proving he is very effective when the conditions help even a little. In the Champions Trophy 2025, where pitches can be tricky, Kyle Jamieson’s skills could make a big difference.

Impact on New Zealand’s Plan:

Kyle Jamieson coming back gives captain Santner more options. He can use him both with the new ball and in the middle. Kyle Jamieson can get a good bounce, which can trouble batters. Other bowlers also feel less stress, which may help them play better.

The Bigger Picture:

Even with Ferguson injured, New Zealand is still very strong in the Champions Trophy 2025. The team has old hands and exciting new faces. Kyle Jamieson’s return makes their bowling attack even better. If he stays fit and plays like he does at home, he could shine in the tournament. His return is not just good for New Zealand but shows the surprises in sport and the power of hard work.

Conclusion:

Lockie Ferguson’s foot injury and withdrawal from the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is bad news for New Zealand. His raw speed, fierce way of bowling, and know-how make him key to their bowling. Missing him will be tough. The details of his injury are unknown, but it must be bad given he’s not in the tournament. This makes New Zealand’s bowling weaker and messes up their plans.

Yet, adding Kyle Jamieson brings some hope. He has little ODI experience but his height, bounce, and good record in Test matches make him a threat to batsmen. Jamieson’s comeback gives captain Santner more options and depth in bowling. He may not be as fast as Ferguson, but his special skills might be a game-changer in the tricky conditions of the Champions Trophy. So, while losing Ferguson hurts, New Zealand has the talent to adapt and fight on. This will test their strength and if they can make the most of Jamieson’s chance in the team.