New Zealand and KKR speedster Lockie Ferguson has suffered a partial stress fracture on his lumbar spine that will keep him out of the Pakistan series starting Friday (December 18) in Auckland. The ace pacer will need at least four to six weeks before he can make his way back through rehabilitation, a press release from New Zealand Cricket informed.

Lockie recently played in the series against the Windies where he picked up 7 wickets in 3 T20Is. It’s during the series that he reportedly sustained the injury. Lockie, who played for KKR in the IPL until last month, is also likely to miss the Super Smash season for Auckland which starts on December 24.

“BLACKCAPS paceman @lockieferguson has been diagnosed with a partial stress fracture to his lumbar spine and will require four to six weeks of rest before returning to training. The injury to the left-side of his back surfaced after the recent T20 series against the West Indies and subsequent scans and imaging confirmed the partial fracture. Ferguson will not need surgery, but instead requires a period of rest and rehabilitation before considering any return to play later this summer,” stated a New Zealand Cricket post on Instagram.

Talking about the injury Kiwi coach Gary Stead said, “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.

“The pace and skill he has been able to consistently produce has made him one of the very best white ball bowlers in the world and a huge asset. 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,” he added.

This is not the first time Lockie’s run into rough weather with injuries. Last year, while playing against Australia in Perth, he picked up a calf injury which kept him out for quite some time. Having said that, here is Team KKR wishing our Knight a speedy recovery and a smoother comeback to international cricket real soon.

New Zealand and Pakistan will play three T20Is (Ausckalnd, Hamilton and Napier) followed by two Tests (Mount Maunganui and Christchurch).