Ferguson’s NZ Test debut delayed

New Zealand’s Captain Kane Williamson and England’s Captain Joe Root pose with the GJ Gardner Cup  

New Zealand fast bowler Lockie Ferguson’s long wait for a Test debut continues after he was overlooked yesterday for the side to face England in the first game of the two-match series at Mt. Maunganui.

England opening batsman Dom Sibley, however, will make his debut at the Bay Oval today as the tourists stuck with the same side that played a three-day warm-up game against New Zealand ‘A’ in Whangarei.

Top order batsman Joe Denly has also been included after he played in the three-day match to prove his fitness following an ankle injury that kept him out of the Twenty20 series, which England won 3-2.

England also picked Jofra Archer, but the decision not to include Ferguson has meant that fans will not see a showdown between the two express bowlers.
New Zealand captain Kane Williamson told reporters they had decided to stick with the tested pace trio of Tim Southee, Trent Boult and Neil Wagner for the match, with Mitchell Santner named as the sole spinner.

Ferguson, who has played 36 one day internationals and eight T20 internationals, could still make his debut in the second game at Seddon Park in Hamilton next week.
REUTERS