New Zealand fast bowler Lockie Ferguson wants to play all three formats of the game for his country, as he is looking forward to refreshing his Test dreams after his Test debut cut-short by an injury last year in Australia, saying his main goal is to become an effective player across the formats.
Ferguson has now become a mainstay in white-ball cricket for the Black Caps in recent times, especially in One Day cricket having featured 37 ODIs and 8 T20Is so far since his international debut in 2016.
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Following his impressive white-ball show and domestic performances, Ferguson was handed maiden Test cap in 2019 against Australia, but his Test debut was cut short due to a calf injury, as he could only bowl 11 overs in his first Test innings at Perth before being ruled out of the game.
It was his only one Test appearance for New Zealand, but the pacer has strong desire to play the traditional format of the game for his country, saying the COVID-19 lockdown gave him an opportunity to flashback his "whirlwind" career and realize what kind of a player he wants to be for the Kiwi side. He has recently returned to the national training camp in Mount Maunganui.
Ferguson stated, “The lockdown treated everyone differently but certainly for myself, it gave me the time naturally to reflect on what's happened in the last few years. It's been a bit of a whirlwind three years being on tour and playing all year around. And just to reflect on how that went, what kind of player I want to be in the future and how best I can be suited to hopefully playing all three formats because I want to play all three formats for the country.”
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He further added, “I have certainly been excited to be part of the [Test] squad and getting a bit of taste of Test cricket although it wasn't to be my Test match but certainly it's in my goals. Test cricket is one of those formats I really want to play and by no means do I look lightly upon T20s and one-dayers because I've thoroughly enjoyed playing those. The goal is still alive within all three formats and how best I can play in all three and be an effective player and most importantly how to get us more wins.”
With Trent Boult, Tim Southee and Neil Wagner being New Zealand's first-choice pace attack in Test, it would be tough for Ferguson to break into the XI, especially after newcomer Kyle Jamieson has impressive India series at home earlier this year.
Ferguson pointed out, “It's been an awesome time for the Test team. Kyle Jamieson came in on the back of some unfortunate injuries and performed so well which is awesome. He's a good mate and now we're competing against each other for a potential spot in the side and that's fantastic as well.
I think the Test team has been performing so well lately but the communication I have with senior bowlers and the learnings I get off them is only going to make me a better player. The more I can mix at training with them, learn from them, and try to become a better Test bowler will only help me.”
He signed off by saying, “But as I said it's exciting just to be back with the chunk of the group this week and having some sort of competition in the nets which I'm sure we're all a little bit hungry for. I have no direct format I'm working towards, I just want to make sure I'm as best a player across all three [formats] and an effective team player.”
(With ESPN Cricinfo Inputs)
