New Zealand bowler Ferguson to join Derbyshire for T20 Blast

Ferguson will link up with former New Zealand coach John Wright at Derbyshire. His move was revealed by Auckland Cricket, to whom he is contracted, on Wednesday

^{New Zealand bowler Lockie Ferguson is to join Derbyshire}

Lockie Ferguson is to sign for Derbyshire for a stint in the upcoming T20 Blast.

Ferguson, who has a career economy rate of 8.19 in the shortest format and has made a solitary IT20 appearance for New Zealand, takes the Blast's Kiwi count to 11 for the 2018 competition.

His move was revealed by Auckland Cricket, to whom he is contracted, on Wednesday.

Ferguson will link up with former New Zealand coach John Wright at Derbyshire.

The county are looking for another strong showing in a tournament in which they reached the quarter-finals last year.

Cricket Advisor, Kim Barnett said: “Lockie is very quick, regularly bowls over 90mph and has IPL experience. We’re delighted to have him on board for the Vitality Blast.

“Lockie will complement our attack alongside fellow overseas Wahab Riaz and we’re looking forward to see how they go.”

Ferguson added: “I’m absolutely delighted to play in the Vitality Blast for Derbyshire. The county has a long association with New Zealand cricket along with the current Specialist Twenty20 Coach John Wright.

“Interestingly, I read an article about Wright’s time playing for Derbyshire in the 1980s. With the rules only allowing one overseas player per game, John said how it was always funny when opposition sides saw the team sheet and how happy they were to see him in the side.

“What that, of course, meant was that Michael Holding wasn’t playing. Hopefully, I can get a couple down at some pace that former Derbyshire fast bowlers would be proud of. I cannot wait to represent the county with pride.”