New Zealand coach Mike Hesson is set to hand a debut to fast bowler Lockie Ferguson during the Black Caps' three-match ODI series in Australia that begins on Sunday.
Ferguson has been on fire for Auckland at first-class level this season, taking 15 wickets at 19.8 in his past three Plunket Shield matches.
“With Adam Milne missing, Lockie gives us that point of difference in our attack,” Hesson said.
“He hasn’t played a huge amount up until the last two seasons where he’s got over a lot of injuries.
“He’s got to an age when those major issues tend to dissipate a bit, when you get to 24 or 25.
“He’s a strong bowler, he’s certainly quick and I’d be very surprised if he doesn’t play at some stage this series.
“Like Milne, they’ve both bowled over 150kph at times.”
Bowling around the 150kph mark will see Ferguson be one of the fastest bowlers in the world, as Australians Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins could also reach the mark for the hosts during the series.
It's a speed that the Kiwi bowling attack haven't seen in some time, going back to the days of fast bowler Shane Bond who retired from ODI cricket in 2011.
Hesson knows Ferguson is capable of hitting the speeds Bond once did, but apart from that the pair aren't that similar.
“They are different types of bowlers,” Hesson said. “Shane swung the ball.
"Lockie’s at the early stages of his career but we know he’s capable of bowling at pace at times.
“It’s difficult, your first series, there’s going to be some nerves. But he’s a confident character.”
The opening ODI of the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy will be played on Sunday December 4 in Sydney.
