New Zealand speedster Lockie Ferguson believes that the upcoming five-match T20I series against India is the perfect preparation for the Blackcaps ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup next month.
Fresh
off a 2-1 ODI series win over the hosts, the Kiwis will kick off their T20 campaign against India in Nagpur on January 21, and Ferguson feels there Is no better way to prepare for the mega event than playing against the hosts in their own backyard.
“It's literally perfect prep,” Ferguson told the media.
Though he acknowledged that while the bilateral T20 matches are not scheduled to be played on the exact World Cup venues, the conditions, including dew and surface behaviour, provide invaluable practice under pressure.
“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,” Lockie added.
Ferguson also reminded everyone just how formidable India can be, especially at home.
“India are one of the top teams in the world, and in their own conditions are world-class. Much like the one-day series, the boys will play hard,” said Kiwi.
The experienced pacer, who has battled back from a calf injury sustained in the ILT20 earlier this month, said he’s been practising in the nets with full tilt and is eyeing a spot in the T20I squad, though his name wasn’t in the latest New Zealand squad list released on Tuesday.
‘It's not been officially released yet, but it looks like we're tracking all well to definitely be involved in the series (against India),” Ferguson said.
Lockie Ferguson opens up on retirement
He also addressed his retirement speculation, dismissing it outright and reaffirming his desire to contribute to the Kiwis as long as he feels he is valuable.
“I still feel fit, I still feel like I'm contributing. 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. But at this stage, I still think I'm one of the best, certainly ready to perform at a World Cup,” he concluded.
After a historic ODI series win against India, the Kiwis will look to prepare well for the World Cup with a T20I series, starting on January 21.
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