With New Zealand set to face Bangladesh in a three-match ODI series, the New Zealand player Lockie Ferguson opens on challenges against Bangladesh.
Lockie Ferguson opens on challenges against Bangladesh’s ODI series
Bangladesh and New Zealand are set to play their first ODI match on September 21 at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.
The fast bowler Tim Southee is sidelined from the squad and will be undergoing surgery on his fractured thumb which will decide the availability of the player for the upcoming World Cup. On this occasion, the Blackcaps captain Lockie says that he’s well aware of the threat by the hosts.
It is almost 10 years since they played an ODI series in Bangladesh. They have played two tests, three ODIs and one T20I in 2013 where Bangladesh stunned the cricket world by defeating New Zealand in ODIs. Remembering that, Lockie Ferguson had admitted that playing against Bangladesh in their home ground would be a huge challenge.
“Clearly a guy with a lot of experience (Boult) and certainly really enjoying him back within the group. Straightaway in England, he came in and he was exceptional. It was challenging to bowl quickly. The scores were high in England and his expertise and calmness under pressure was irreplaceable,” he said.
The players Tim Southee and Matt Henry have been rested due to their injury and hence Trent Boult will be having a bigger role in the series.
“So I guess without Tim (Southee) and Matt Henry, Boult’s gonna have a bigger leadership role as he always does. But he’s certainly a gem for us and I certainly enjoy playing alongside and, you know, I’m sure if it’s swinging tomorrow, he’s one of the guys who’ll get some swing out of it,” he said.
“I think it’s the nature of international cricket at this stage. You’ve probably seen throughout the last few years, a lot of rotation around teams just with the amount of cricket we’re playing. Some players are choosing to take a rest now, just before the World Cup and some have taken a little bit earlier. So, I think that’s great with them,” he said.
“Look, we’re professionals and we take every game as it comes. This is a big series for us and a very challenging one. So, from our point of view, it’s good build-up for a World Cup; but at the same time, you know, we’re very much focused on this series.
“We know how strong Bangladesh are in their home conditions, so it’s a good challenge for us against them. And it’s my first time playing here, so certainly plenty to learn on my behalf. But the boys are really looking forward to tomorrow and getting underway,” said Ferguson.
“Obviously a huge honour for myself to be captain and obviously just in an interim sort of position while our other three captains are away but obviously very privileged to be in this role,” Ferguson remarked on leading his country for the first time. “As a fast bowler, I guess things do change, but I think at the same time it brings a lot of benefits like talking to bowlers, working out plans, obviously being in their shoes a lot of the time, in the pressure moments.”
“Certainly different conditions, but with the experience that we’ve had in the subcontinent we’ve got to learn as pace bowlers how to bowl potentially in a different role. It’s not always about maybe blowing out and getting wickets, but holding up an end so that perhaps spinners can play more of a role.
“However, I have seen some highlights from when England was here and there were a lot of wickets taken by pacers. So, I suppose that’s when change-ups tend to come in a bit more. Obviously with it being so humid as well, the ball tends to swing. So, we’re sort of known for our swing bowling and I’m sure we’ll still be able to use that tomorrow,” Ferguson concluded.
New Zealand will be playing against Pakistan and South Africa on September 29 and October 2 at the warmup games at Rajiv Gandhi Stadium and Greenfield Stadium.
