Fast bowler Lockie Ferguson is set to make his debut in the KFC Big Bash League (BBL) with the Sydney Thunder this season, expressing hopes for a stronger New Zealand presence in the competition and even the potential for a Kiwi-based team in the future.
Selected as Sydney Thunder’s first pick (No. 4 overall) in the international player draft, Ferguson joins a growing group of New Zealand players making their mark on the BBL. This year, four Kiwis have secured spots in the league, with three being picked in the first round.
Ferguson, along with Finn Allen, Colin Munro, and Tim Seifert, represent a noticeable increase in New Zealand participation compared to last season, when Munro was the sole Kiwi to play in the tournament.
Ferguson’s inclusion continues a trend of high-profile New Zealand cricketers opting out of central contracts to pursue more flexible freelance opportunities in franchise leagues around the world.
This shift includes notable players like Trent Boult, Adam Milne, Kane Williamson, and Devon Conway, all of whom have taken up contracts that allow them to explore various T20 leagues while still representing New Zealand in international cricket.
The 33-year-old paceman believes this shift could be mutually beneficial for both the players and the BBL. “It’s been interesting this season, seeing a few more guys come off central contracts and take up Big Bash opportunities,” Ferguson said. “Franchise cricket provides a lot of opportunities for one- or two-format players, especially later in their careers.”
Ferguson also floated the idea of a New Zealand team joining the BBL, drawing inspiration from other sports like rugby and basketball, where New Zealand teams compete in Australian-based leagues. He pointed to the success of the New Zealand Warriors in the National Rugby League (NRL) and the New Zealand Breakers in the National Basketball League (NBL) as examples.
“Kiwis follow the Big Bash very closely,” Ferguson said. “If there was a time where we could get a couple of New Zealand sides in the BBL, it would be good for both Australian and New Zealand cricket.”
Ferguson will return to familiar ground in New South Wales, where he played grade cricket in his early 20s. He’ll spearhead Sydney Thunder’s bowling attack, joining a lineup that includes Wes Agar, Nathan McAndrew, Daniel Sams, and spinners Chris Green and Tanveer Sangha.
With his experience and passion for the game, Ferguson hopes to not only make an impact for Sydney Thunder but also pave the way for more Kiwi players in the BBL—and potentially, an entire New Zealand team.
