Auckland Aces fast bowler Lockie Ferguson recently got the call up to the Blackcaps ODI squad, so he's the perfect lad to answer some questions for us.

You have battled away on the fringes of domestic cricket for a few seasons now - walk us through your journey from getting a start in domestic cricket to where you are now...

My first game was definitely a big wake up call. I was a young tear-away fast bowler who thought he could bump and blow out the stumps of anyone. I couldn’t be further from the truth. Aaron Redmond sent me for 6 twice in my first over and managed to hit me around (going at 10rpo) until I managed to get him caught at third-man. I finished up with the ball in my first innings with just one wicket. Not the ideal debut. But over the years I have learnt that of course pace is great asset, but it is wasted if it is not directed right.

Have you always been able to bowl fairly quickly and did that help or hinder you as a teenager coming through age-group teams?

I've always had the ability to bowl quick fortunately which definitely helped me get into the Auckland Grammar 1st XI and on to Auckland U-19. However I did suffer from a few injuries along the way, namely a stress fracture I received in my final year of school - that set me back. But that’s part of being a young fast bowler, you don’t quite know what your body needs to stay on the park and at that stage I didn’t have the strength to take the load.

What else do you rely on when bowling besides your pace?

I would say bounce and seam are the two other attributes I try to focus on. Hopefully putting doubt in the batsman’s mind and messing with their footwork to create a mistake

What's been the greatest challenge you've faced as a quick bowler in domestic cricket and how have you been able to get getting better?

The toughest challenge I’ve faced is bouncing back from injuries. My stress fracture when I was 18yrs and also when I blew my foot out three seasons ago. For that particular injury the surgeon and doctors were unsure if I could bowl again. But staying on the park for most of the last two seasons has really helped me find rhythm and confidence with my bowling.

As you are now the spear-head of the Auckland seam attack, how did you prepare over winter for a long summer of bowling?

I was fortunate enough to be included in the NZ Winter Training Squad, giving me a full winter of fitness and of course our skill work. It meant that I could build up my bowling loads over the winter and feel comfortable coming into the season that I had done the work in the gym and in the nets to start the season well.

I worked really hard this winter increasing my hip mobility and efficiency of my bowling action to not only increase my speed but more importantly make it repeatable. I also spent just under a month in Australia with the Aces and also playing club cricket for Sutherland in Sydney. This was my second year doing so and with the temperamental weather in Auckland I was lucky to get plenty of cricket in before the domestic season started

During the season, how do you balance maintaining optimum fitness and not burning yourself out?

That’s something that changes from player to player. For me I look to maintain the strength that I have built up over the winter. It can be hard to fit gym sessions in and around games so as long as I am ticking off my base gym program each week I know it’s a good step in terms of keeping me on the park.

This year I have also included some more running work at training. Nothing too vigorous just 200m sprints, but it helped me a lot through this first round of First-Class matches. I don’t tend to bowl too much in between games as the four-day matches can be quite high in terms of work rate, so I give my body a chance to rest. Through the two white ball campaigns I'll definitely bowl more. I look to keep my weekly loads around 35 overs a week through the season, with it fluctuating a little depending on the format I am playing.

Are there any training/fitness drills that you ensure you do every training session?

Every week I make sure to tick off squat, deadlift, side crunches, explosive chin-ups and some sort of explosive chest work in the gym. I look to tick off at least one running session and of course I try to stretch every opportunity I can.

What advice would you give to a young cricketer - especially a young bowler?

Don’t get caught up too much with making representative sides along the way. I know many fast bowlers who were late bloomers and now are very successful professionals. Just enjoy playing with your mates and play hard. Bowling fast can be one of the toughest roles in a cricket team, but also the most rewarding.

Which kiwi ground does the best cricketing lunch and why?

Haha, now I can see we are into the proper questions; Hagley Oval has yet to be beaten from their seafood salads to their Mexican on day four, it's hard not to load up there. Although Eden Park has made some considerable improvements this year.

Are there any cricketing moments you have experienced that left you in awe?

The first T20 game for Auckland I was involved in, I was carrying the drinks at the Cake Tin in Wellington. Colin Munro was in batting for us at the time and facing up against Scott Kuggeleijn who was bowling rockets. This one particular ball, Kuggy (Kuggeleijn) attempted to bounce Colin but missed slightly and Colin hit it, not only for six but out of the entire stadium. I had never seen a ball crushed so sweetly before, even better when you’re sitting in the dugout.

Who do you love batting against in the nets?

Not sure if there's a particular bowler I love facing but I think everyone loves facing the part-time spinners during the T20 campaign. Plenty of fireworks

Favourite shot when batting?

Favourite shot would have to be the off-drive. Nothing quite like the feeling of leather on willow guiding the ball majestically through the gap between cover and mid-off, with the fellow fast bowler looking back at you in awe.

If you've got a week off, where will you be and what will you be doing?

First plane to New York. I have been for the last two years now at the end of the season and cant get enough of the city. From the Yankees to the hidden jazz bars. I love being in big cities and New York is just that.