New Zealand put faith in rookie fast bowler, Lockie Ferguson

The Chappell-Hadlee series starting from December 4 will witness three of the fastest bowlers in the planet, including one who is yet to make his international debut.

Australian pacers Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins are quite capable of hurling deliveries in excess of 150 kph, but while the world knows what they can do, they are yet to witness New Zealand pacer Lockie Ferguson who can bowl almost as fast.

“With Adam Milne missing, Lockie gives us that point of difference in our attack,” Black Caps coach Mike Hesson was quoted by the Cricket Australia website.

“He hasn’t played a huge amount up until the last two seasons where he’s got over a lot of injuries. “He’s got to an age when those major issues tend to dissipate a bit, when you get to 24 or 25.”

Speaking about Lockie further, Hesson said,” He’s a strong bowler, he’s certainly quick and I’d be very surprised if he doesn’t play at some stage this series.

“Like Milne, they’ve both bowled over 150kph at times.”

The 25-year-old has been a star for his domestic side, Auckland this season grabbing 15 wickets at an average of 19.8 in his last three Plunket Shield games alongside his 16 wickets in eight 50-over outings.

The BlackCaps haven’t been to Australia with a tearaway quick capable of hitting the speeds which Ferguson can since Shane Bond was a part of the playing eleven almost a decade back. Bond, in 17 games versus Australia pocketed 44 scalps at an average of 15.79 and was more destructive in away conditions picking 18 wickets in six matches at an average of 14.94.

While both Ferguson and Bond share lightning quick speed, Hesson says that the similarities end there.

“They are different types of bowlers,” he said. “Shane swung the ball. "Lockie’s at the early stages of his career but we know he’s capable of bowling at pace at times. “It’s difficult, your first series, there’s going to be some nerves. But he’s a confident character.”

Ferguson too said that Bond had inspired him to bowl quick.

Speaking to New Zealand Herald, he said,” When I was younger, obviously Bondy was a big deal in New Zealand cricket. "He bowled quick and was a superstar, so naturally I wanted to copy him."

The rookie added that when he started off his main aim was to bowl quick but now with age, he has matured a bit.

"When I started out, I was all about the pace. I just wanted to bump people out and blast out middle poles," he said. "But you learn pretty quickly in first-class cricket, you get carted and often don't get the wickets. In the last few years, I've been lucky enough to stay on the park so I've learned about my bowling."

For the record, Ferguson has touched the 155 kmphr mark in a practice game for New Zealand.