New signing Lockie Ferguson says he can’t wait to have a bowl on the quick and bouncy wickets at The 3aaa County Ground during the Vitality Blast.
The New Zealand international fast bowler, who has been clocked at over 95mph, will be available for the entire competition and will form a pace attack alongside Hardus Viljoen and fellow overseas Wahab Riaz.
Ferguson said he’s excited to see how this pace attack in action, beginning with the opener versus Lancashire Lightning at home on Friday night.
“I’m super excited. It’s always been a dream of mine to come and play county cricket,” he said. “I’m fortunate to have John Wright a fellow Kiwi who was keen to sign me.
“I had a bit of a bowl on Monday out on the wicket and it looked bouncy so it should be a lot of fun. I play at Eden Park at home and the dimensions of the ground and wicket, in terms of pace and carry, is pretty similar to Derby.
“We will want to put some fear into the batsmen with our attack. We also have Wahab [Riaz] and Hardus [Viljoen] who bowl really quick as well so it should be a lot of fun this summer.
“I had a quick bowl with the lads on Monday and they are all very welcoming. It’s a serious bowling attack and hopefully we can restrict teams. It will be good to see how we go on Friday.”
Derbyshire Falcons enjoyed a record 2017 campaign, claiming eight wins to secure a first quarter-final since 2005, and the first ever at home.
“It’s always good to look back and see what the team did well last year,” Ferguson added. “I’m sure we will have plenty of chats this week to see why we were successful and how we can grow on that this year.
“We will take it game by game, as we do with any competition, and hopefully start with a win on Friday.
“Twenty20 is a great game. There is nothing better than a packed house and a crowd really getting behind you. From what I’ve heard about the Blast there will be lots of big crowds and a lot of noise and I’m looking forward to getting amongst it.”
He may have only arrived in Derbyshire this week, but he already knows plenty about the rivalry with Notts Outlaws, having been coached by former Nottinghamshire bowler Andre Adams back in Auckland.
And he doesn’t have to wait long until the big East Midlands derby as the Falcons welcome the Outlaws to The 3aaa County Ground on Friday 13 July.
“I’ve heard a lot about Notts. My bowling coach, Andre Adams, is obviously a Notts boy and he’s been giving me plenty of stick the last few days about wearing the blue, but I’m excited to get going and facing Notts.
“They have also got a couple of Kiwis playing for them too so it should be exciting.”
Vitality Blast is back! Derbyshire Falcons host seven Twenty20 games this July and August. Purchase your tickets in advance and save from £4. Buy online or call 01332 388 101.
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