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Lockie Ferguson Still Wants To Play For New Zealand Even After Turning Down Contract

Rajgeeta Yadav

Lockie Ferguson [Source: AFP/x.com]Lockie Ferguson [Source: AFP/x.com]

New Zealand fast bowler Lockie Ferguson will soon be playing for the Trent Rockets in The Hundred 2025, a popular cricket league in England. The team will be led by David Willey. Although Ferguson has chosen not to take a central contract from New Zealand Cricket this year, he says he is still fully committed to playing for his country. 

He explained that he’s just trying to balance between playing for New Zealand and taking part in franchise leagues around the world.

This year, four players, Tim Southee (retired), Ish Sodhi, Ajaz Patel, and Josh Clarkson, were not offered central contracts. Meanwhile, big names like Kane Williamson, Devon Conway, Finn Allen, Tim Seifert, and Ferguson are a part of casual contracts, which give them more freedom to play in global leagues.

More and more New Zealand stars, including Trent Boult and Adam Milne, have stepped away from full-time contracts to focus on franchise cricket. This has led to questions about whether international cricket is losing its importance.

Ferguson Says Playing For New Zealand Is Still His Top Goal

In a chat with Hindustan Times, during a select media roundtable. Ferguson said:

"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. 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.

Ferguson had been out of action due to injuries. He hurt his left leg while playing in the IPL (Indian Premier League) and had also missed the 2025 Champions Trophy after a hamstring injury in the UAE league (ILT20).

Now recovered, the 34-year-old pacer is ready to return to the field in The Hundred, which starts Tuesday with London Spirit vs Oval Invincibles. Trent Rockets will play their first match on Friday against Birmingham Phoenix.