With the T20 World Cup in India fast approaching, New Zealand speedster Lockie Ferguson has made it clear that retirement is not on his mind. The 34-year-old pacer has confirmed he is keen to continue his international career beyond the showpiece event and has his sights firmly set on representing New Zealand at next year’s ODI World Cup in South Africa.
Ferguson, who hasn’t featured for the Black Caps since 2025 due to injury setbacks, finds himself at a crossroads similar to longtime teammate Trent Boult, who chose to step away from T20 internationals at the same age. While Lockie Ferguson acknowledges that he is closer to the twilight of his career, he remains convinced that he still has plenty to offer at the highest level.
Renowned for his express pace and ability to regularly clock speeds close to 150 km/h, Lockie Ferguson has been one of New Zealand’s most potent white-ball weapons over the past decade. In 43 T20 internationals, he has claimed 64 wickets at an impressive average of 17, numbers that underline his impact. However, the physical demands of sustained fast bowling have taken their toll, forcing him to manage his workload carefully.
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Despite those challenges, Lockie Ferguson insists his hunger to compete for his country remains strong. Speaking ahead of New Zealand’s departure to India, he reaffirmed his commitment to the team and his belief in his own ability to contribute.
“I love playing for New Zealand, and I’m very vocal about that,” Lockie Ferguson said. “It’s a great group, and what we’re building right now is exciting. I still feel fit, I still feel like I’m contributing. The day I feel I’m not helping the team win, that’s when I’ll step away.”
Does Lockie Ferguson Feel Fit Enough to Continue Playing After T20 World Cup? New Delhi, Jan 20 (NationPress) As the T20 World Cup in India approaches, New
Zealand pacer Lockie Ferguson stated that he has no intention of retiring after
the tournament… https://t.co/hhoG1tpHjV pic.twitter.com/F5ewZ7BckP— NationPress (@np_nationpress) January 20, 2026
With less than a month to go before New Zealand open their T20 World Cup campaign against Afghanistan, Ferguson confirmed he is on track physically and has been bowling at full intensity in training. The Black Caps will fine-tune their preparations with a five-match T20 series against India, where Ferguson is expected to play a key role.
Looking further ahead, the fast bowler remains particularly enthusiastic about the 50-over format. With 99 wickets in 65 ODIs since his debut in 2016, Lockie Ferguson believes one-day cricket has been the foundation of his international career.
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“I love 50-over cricket—it’s where I really made my name,” he said. “There’s another World Cup coming up, and that’s exciting. Right now, it’s very much about taking things tournament by tournament, but I’m enjoying my cricket and feeling motivated again.”
After a challenging year marked by injuries, Ferguson’s renewed confidence and clarity of purpose could prove vital for New Zealand as they look to make a strong impact in consecutive World Cups.
