Lockie Ferguson, the New Zealand pacer, 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, New Zealand Cricket confirmed on Wednesday (December 16).As a result of the injury on the left side of his back, which surfaced during the T20I series against the West Indies, the pacer will remain unavailable for all the games against Pakistan. He will also remain unavailable for the Auckland Aces in the Super Smash, which will run till mid-February.

The pacer won't require a surgery but will need 'a period of rest and rehabilitation' before considering any return to play later in New Zealand's home summer, which will extend till late March with Australia and Bangladesh due to travel. Gary Stead, New Zealand's head coach, 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's been able to consistently produce has made him one of the very best white ball bowlers in the world and a huge asset for the Blackcaps. 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."