Lockie Ferguson eyeing up Test spot

The bowler, who hails from Auckland, has taken the opportunity of lockdown to look back at his international career so far, which has already seen him play a key role in New Zealand's ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2019 campaign where they finished runners-up.

"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," he said during New Zealand's training camp in Mount Maunganui. "It's been a bit of a whirlwind three years being on tour and playing all year round. 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."

Ferguson made his first appearance with the red ball for New Zealand in their day/night fixture against Australia in December 2019, but pulled up with a calf injury after bowling 11 overs and returned the less-than-flattering figures of 0/47.

"I have certainly been excited to be part of the 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 the new-ball pair of Tim Southee and Trent Boult unlikely to be going anywhere in the near future, and Ferguson will have to compete for a spot in the team against experienced players such as Neil Wagner and Colin de Grandhomme as well as other up-and-coming names like Kyle Jamieson, who has impressed on his two Test appearances thus far. Despite this, the quick bowler is not perturbed and instead sees it as a perfect opportunity to learn.

"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."