Test series will get underway at Bay Oval on 21 November.
New Zealand fast-bowler Lockie Ferguson is excited to trouble England batsmen with his terrifying pace in the upcoming two-match Test series after earning maiden Test call-up for the home series.
On Thursday, November 14, Ferguson has been named in the New Zealand’s 15-man squad for the upcoming World Test Championship matches against England and Australia this summer.
Having excelling with the white ball in the past year, Ferguson is now aiming to trouble the batsmen with his fearsome pace in the red-ball game if he manages to break into the Playing XI, as the 28-year-old is well aware that it will be tough to make his way into an established fast-bowling unit comprising with Trent Boult, Neil Wagner and Tim Southee.
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Ferguson told media after maiden Test call, “Obviously, I'm pretty excited. It's a goal I've been working to for a very long time. That's part of my role in the team ... to bring a bit of anxiety, potentially, by bowling extra speed. It opens you up to different tactics in how you bowl at batters and putting them under pressure and potentially making them a little bit nervous about the short ball.”
The paceman who was the second-highest wicket-taker at the World Cup 2019 after Australia's Mitchell Starc with 21 wickets at 19.47 was hopeful to replicate white-ball success in Tests as well.
He further said, “I think international cricket has had quite an awesome year with fast bowlers and the World Cup. Early on, they were talking about spinners being the real threat, and it was exciting for me to be part of the fast bowling fraternity and to see the fast bowlers at the top of that [wicket-taking] list. I don't think it changes to Test cricket... fast bowlers are going to create a threat and cause problems for batters just from pure pace.”
Ferguson signed off, “But at the same time, you have to be accurate. Personally, that's one thing I've worked on for a long time – bowling quick but making sure I'm putting it where I want to put it.”
(With ICC Inputs)