‘Still very committed to playing for New Zealand’ - Lockie Ferguson on balancing franchise and international cricket

New Zealand speedster Lockie Ferguson has reiterated his commitment to representing the national side, stating that playing for the Black Caps remains a top priority, despite his growing involvement in T20 franchise leagues across the globe.

Ferguson is among a growing list of Kiwi stars, including Kane Williamson, Devon Conway, Trent Boult, Finn Allen, and Adam Milne, who have opted out of central contracts to pursue opportunities in various T20 leagues. This trend reflects a broader shift in the cricketing landscape, where players are increasingly seeking flexibility in balancing national duties with lucrative franchise stints.

Ferguson is set to feature for the Trent Rockets in The Hundred, and acknowledged his decision to step away from a central contract but emphasised that the desire to don the New Zealand jersey is still very much alive. He expressed hope of maintaining a healthy balance between international commitments and franchise cricket.

"I just think they're finding a balance between the two, to be honest. I think some boards sort of handle it differently. But from my point of view, I'm still very committed to playing for New Zealand. I still love playing for my country. And it's just about finding the balance, however that might be. After this, I go home and have a bit of a stint back with New Zealand. We've got three series back there. So, hopefully take the park," Ferguson said as quoted by Hindustan Times.

"As I said, it's nice to play in your home conditions. It doesn't happen as much as it used to, which is the good thing about playing a lot of franchise cricket. But yeah, I think from all points of view, playing World Cups is still very much the pinnacle. And although we enjoy playing franchise, I think getting back and playing for your nation is something special," he added.

'It is great for the game' - Lockie Ferguson on IPL's investment in The Hundred

There has been renewed buzz around The Hundred this year following significant investments from Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise owners. The GMR Group, co-owners of the Delhi Capitals, now hold a stake in the Southern Brave, while the RPSG Group, owners of the Lucknow Super Giants, have acquired a 70 percent stake in the Manchester Originals. Several other IPL franchises also have stakes in The Hundred. Ferguson sees this as an exciting development for the tournament and believes it signals promising times ahead.

"I think it's great for the game. Obviously, first and foremost brings a lot of investment into the game, particularly in England. But, you know, clearly the IPL has run a very successful tournament for a long time. And I think the ownership groups adding that sort of knowledge and sort of making The Hundred a bit more of a franchise league in that sense is exciting for the game," said Ferguson.

Ferguson also spoke highly of his team in The Hundred this season, expressing confidence that the squad has the firepower to go all the way and win the competition.

“We've got a good squad. There's no doubt about it. A good group of lads, they've been connecting very well early on and obviously a great ground to play at. So, yeah, we'll look forward to the first game on Friday and take it from there. But certainly, a good group and I'm looking forward to getting in the park with them," he concluded.