Lockie Ferguson Confident He Remains Among Cricket's Elite
New Zealand fast bowler Lockie Ferguson has firmly dismissed speculation about his impending retirement. The fiery pacer insists he still ranks among the world's best cricketers. Ferguson expressed strong confidence in his ability to perform at the highest level, particularly in upcoming major tournaments.
"I Still Think I'm One of the Best"
Ferguson made his position clear with direct words. "I still feel fit, I still feel like I'm contributing," he stated. The bowler explained his personal benchmark for retirement. "If there's ever a day I wake up and I'm not contributing to a win, or if I don't think I'm deserving of playing for the team, then I'll put my boots on the wall."
He quickly added, "But at this stage, I still think I'm one of the best, certainly ready to perform at a World Cup." This declaration comes as New Zealand prepares for the T20 World Cup, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka starting February 7.
Perfect Preparation in India
Ferguson is currently in India for a five-match T20I series beginning Wednesday. He views this tour as ideal preparation for the global tournament. "It's literally perfect prep," he remarked. While acknowledging the venues might differ, he emphasized the value of the experience.
"I know they're not the grounds potentially we'll play, but just the experience at the time, whether there's dew factor, whether there's condition factor, it's nice to get on the turf and have such a decent build-up into the World Cup," Ferguson explained. He praised the Indian team, calling them "one of the top teams in the world" and "world-class" in their home conditions.
New Zealand's T20 World Cup Schedule
The Black Caps begin their World Cup campaign on February 8 against Afghanistan in Chennai. Their second match follows on February 10 against the UAE, also in Chennai. The team then moves to Ahmedabad for their final two group matches. They face South Africa on February 14 and Canada on February 17.
Recovery from Injury and IPL Plans
Ferguson recently suffered a calf injury during an ILT20 match in the UAE earlier this month. He has now returned to full bowling intensity for the past week. The pace bowler is part of the Punjab Kings roster for IPL 2026, indicating his continued commitment to top-level cricket.
He confirmed his expected involvement in the series against India, saying, "It's not been officially released yet, but it looks like we're tracking all well to definitely be involved in the series." However, Ferguson was notably absent from an updated New Zealand squad list released on Tuesday.
Comeback Trail and Personal Milestone
The bowler is on a comeback journey after missing all cricket for New Zealand last year due to injury. Alongside his professional commitments, Ferguson anticipates a significant personal event. He plans to take a short paternity break during the T20 World Cup, with February 20 marked as the expected birth date of his child.
Ferguson's statements and recovery progress suggest a determined athlete focused on immediate challenges rather than retirement. His eyes remain fixed on representing New Zealand with the same intensity that has defined his career.
