Cricket: Lockie Ferguson suffered cramp in debut defeat

Lockie Ferguson celebrates the wicket of David Warner. Photosport

New ODI bowler Lockie Ferguson found himself welcomed to a special club after his entry to international cricket last night.

The Auckland speedster took a wicket in his first over, but also copped some punishment from Australia's batsmen during the hosts' 68-run win in the opening Chappell Hadlee match at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

His nine overs cost 73 and he suffered a bout of cramp, which according to coach Mike Hesson he'd never suffered before.

But the big positive was his pace. Ferguson was quickly up to 150kmph, and five of his deliveries in his second over reached that benchmark point.

Hesson put the cramping down to a spot of anxiety.

"Pretty much everyone has had it at some stage so it was a ''welcome to the club" from a few of the lads last night," Hesson said.

He admitted Ferguson had been costly - including four no balls, which equate to four free hits for the batsmen.

"A lot of that was to do with his cramping and loss of stride length. Those things can be tidied up pretty quickly once he gets used to that intensity.

"We want him to run in quick and create opportunities but clearly there's a balancing act," Hesson said.

He reserved high praise for the innings of Martin Guptill, his 114 his 11th ODI ton but first against Australia.

"That will be a bit of a monkey off the back in terms of Australia," Hesson said.

"A lot has been made of the fact he hadn't made a century against Australia but boy that was a pretty good hundred. Unfortunately it was surpassed by someone who batted a bit longer in the first innings (Australian captain Steve Smith and his 164)."