Lockie Ferguson, fast from Black Caps, determined to fight to get back to the test side

An overflowing bowling department hasn’t dampened Lockie Ferguson’s hopes of forcing his return to the Black Caps test team.

The 29-year-old is expected to lead New Zealand’s attack in the impending Twenty20 series against the West Indies, but did not make it into coach Gary Stead’s 13-man test team.

Ferguson, one of six Black Caps in isolation administered in Christchurch after returning home from IPL duty, revealed that “family commitments” meant he was unavailable for the two-test series beginning Dec. 3 in Hamilton.

Not that Ferguson is saying he would have surpassed the team, which includes Trent Boult, Tim Southee, Neil Wagner and the impressive Kyle Jamieson, who has notched up a hat-trick and three five-wicket bags in four Plunket Shield games for Auckland. .

READ MORE:
* Black Cap Lockie Ferguson in his solitary confinement IPL: ‘I have my jump rope’
* Test cricket goal continues to shine for Black Caps sprinter Lockie Ferguson
* Black Caps bowling stocks are about to explode ahead of Australian ODI series
* New Zealand v India: Kane Williamson excited about the ‘intelligence cricket’ as the Black Caps recovered

“I have had talks at all times. Steady and talk a lot, I have some family commitments that week, but even then, [Jamieson] he played very well last season, so he certainly deserves a place on that side, ”said Ferguson.

“The test side is a really difficult team to do, there is a lot of depth. Obviously our big three [Boult, Southee, Wagner] they have been so successful over a long period of time. “

Ferguson is anxious to return to play cricket with red ball and leave behind his disastrous debut test.

Firing 66 deliveries in the sweltering Perth heat last year, before limping off with a calf strain, stung after a long-awaited blank shot.

But he has replaced the feeling of frustration with a burning desire to earn another chance.

“When you see the depth, Kyle Jamieson, one of my good teammates, who comes up and takes his opportunity and plays very well, puts pressure on other bowlers to perform well at all levels,” Ferguson said.

“I think it’s great. To me, honestly, if that means I have to work hard to get a chance and get a chance on that side, like I always do, take it game by game, keep putting work in the background, And if that opportunity comes, I will do my best to seize it with open arms.

“I still see that I have a lot of time. Many opportunities lie ahead, but above all, my focus will be on these Twenty20s. “

Speaking of the T20s, Ferguson made it clear that he will be ready to play Friday’s opener at Eden Park if need be, even though he is only scheduled to be released from quarantine the day before.

Black Caps captain Kane Williamson, Boult, Jimmy Neesham, Mitchell Santner, and Tim Seifert are also in controlled isolation, along with Ferguson’s Kolkata Knight Riders coach Brendon McCullum and former New Zealand bowling coach. Shane Bond.

They have an exemption to train at Lincoln, where Bond is used as a “guest coach.” McCullum, physio and trainer Tommy Simsek strength and conditioning Chris Donaldson are also helping.

Bond, who worked closely with Ferguson during an NZA tour of the United Arab Emirates two years ago, said Ferguson played well with limited IPL opportunities, and believes it’s only a matter of time before he plays cricket again. with a red ball for New Zealand.

“I don’t think there’s much he can do, to be fair he’s sitting behind three, maybe four, five with Matt Henry out too, quality bowlers, so you have to bide your time. I think everyone is more than aware of what it can do in terms of pacing, “said Bond.

“It offers an intimidation factor. It’s part of a larger Black Caps bowling team. When he has the opportunity to play four-day cricket for Auckland, he will simply continue to play well and perform well and, whether through retirements, injuries or his performances, he will have that opportunity at some point in the future. “