Ferguson fast and furious
Increasing comfort as an international cricketer and a building confidence with the ball have New Zealand fast bowler Lockie Ferguson primed to continue attacking the Pakistan batsmen.
Consistently bowling over the 145kmh mark and regularly topping 150kmh, Ferguson has helped the Black Caps to a 2-0 lead as they look to claim the five-match oneday series in Dunedin tomorrow.
Ferguson arrives in the southern city fresh off taking 3-39 in the second rain-affected match in Nelson and has opened up on the secrets behind his speed and form.
‘‘There are a lot of things to bowling quick – I’m not sure there is one answer to it.
‘‘For me it is a rhythm thing and when it’s clicking that’s when it comes out the quickest,’’ he said.
‘‘When I’m playing I don’t notice the speeds until after the game and that’s just a little bit of icing on the cake.
‘‘We are playing world class sides like Pakistan and my focus needs to be on the batter at the time and trying to get him out. That’s what I focus on when we are on the park.
‘‘I’m happy with the way I’m going at the moment ... speed is always a nice thing but to be honest, results are the reason we play.’’
Sheer pace is a huge asset to any bowling attack and with 12 ODIs under his belt since his debut in December 2016, Ferguson is starting to feel at home at this level.
‘‘Last season I came into international cricket and there are a lot of pressures that come with that and it took me a few games to get used to that,’’ he admitted.
He was relishing learning from the senior Black caps bowlers like Trent Boult and Tim Southee.
‘‘Being part of such a good bowling attack with Tim and Trent makes my job a little bit easier. Following up those two guys who are doing such a good job at the top, it makes my life more easy coming on as first change,’’ the 26-year-old Aucklander said.
‘‘I guess I’m just trying to build, be comfortable and enjoy playing cricket. I’m just looking to do my part. My role is to bowl quick and aggressively so hopefully Saturday won’t be anything too different.’’
Not everything has gone his way over the past 12 months.
He said he had ‘‘a tough little trip to India’’ with the New Zealand A team leading into the domestic season. He used that as a spur.
‘‘I came back really wanting to prove my bowling ability. Then I had a good start to domestic season so I took a lot of confidence going through to the Black Caps.
‘‘I think when I’m a confident player, that’’s when I play at my best.’’