Cricket: Lessons learned for Black Caps debutante Lockie Ferguson

It began with a hiss and a roar but by the end Lockie Ferguson had learnt important lessons after his opening ODI at the Sydney Cricket Ground last night. Photo / Photosport

It began with a hiss and a roar but by the end New Zealand's latest fast bowling hope Lockie Ferguson had learnt important lessons after his opening ODI at the Sydney Cricket Ground last night.

But he will be encouraged by the words of Australian skipper Steve Smith on his effort.

Aucklander Ferguson arrived in the side with big mail on his speed capability.

He touched 150kmph in his first over, which ended with him getting the prized wicket of David Warner, who played a ball onto his stumps.

However Ferguson's final figures, 9-0-73-1, were ugly, not that he was alone among the New Zealanders on that score yesterday as Australia bounced them all around the SCG en route to 324 for eight, but he'll take important pointers out of the experience.

In his second over, the first five deliveries were all clocked in excess of 150kmph.

But all the while he was leaking runs. His first three-over spell cost 18, and his final over went for 16. He appeared to suffer cramp at one point and needed treatment.

Still while he was wayward at times, he's had it reinforced to him that if he's off line he'll be punished at this level.

On the credit side, he beat Warner, Smith and George Bailey for pace on occasions, going straight through the capable Bailey in consecutive deliveries.

''He bowled pretty well," Smith said.

''He bowled a reasonably heavy ball on a two-paced wicket that didn't really have the carry and bounce that those fast bowlers like.

''He got the prized scalp of Warner early on and looks like he's got a pretty bright future."

Team mate Martin Guptill said his provincial teammate had pulled up well from a tough introduction.

The interesting point will be whether he keeps his place for the second game at Canberra's Manuka Oval on Tuesday.

The word is the Canberra pitch can be a tough day out for the seamers. Senior seamer Tim Southee was omitted yesterday, evidently part of a rotation plan.

So expect him to return because New Zealand can't afford to be as profligate again in their fast-medium work.

Ferguson may miss out, but at least he's had a taste and expect him to bounce back well from the experience.