Desert Vipers’ Head Coach James Foster believes New Zealand fast bowler Lockie Ferguson is the perfect man for the job of captaining the Desert Vipers in this season’s DP World ILT20.
Foster, who has arrived in Dubai ahead of the start of the third edition of the tournament, decided on the appointment of Ferguson to lead the side in succession to another New Zealand international – batter Colin Munro.
Speaking with the Vipers Voices podcast, Foster said that the all-round package of Ferguson as a leader was irresistible.
“First of all, if you talk about his bowling, he is a player who is in high demand, he is high-quality, he has high pace and he brings that X factor with his skill set,” said Foster.
“Also, if you think from a fielding point of view, I would probably say he is one of the best fielders going around of those with bowling as their primary skill set. He adds value there, and some handy lower-order runs as well.
“Lockie has impressed me over the last few years. I have been lucky enough to work with him in the New Zealand setup. I have worked with him in the IPL, and he has just got a great outlook on the game.
“He is a wonderful person. Yes, he has not had a huge amount of experience in captaincy, but he has taken the reins over for New Zealand (in the past, in Bangladesh, in 2023) and, again, he did a great job there.
“Everyone loved working under Lockie as the leader, and he has just got a really great way. He is very calm. He believes and backs his players. He is very consistent as an individual, which is another very important thing.
“Also, he has got a lot of fire in the belly, and that is the thing with Lockie. He will want to do well, but without trying to put too much pressure on himself and others. He has been around a while, and I think this role in his career this captaincy role has probably come at a really good time for him.”
Adding to Ferguson’s firepower in the fast-bowling department is UAE quick Khuzaima bin Tanveer, who is best known for his raw pace in local circles. James Foster explained the decision to pick Khuzaima in the UAE draft this season was based on a lengthy assessment of his qualities.
“We did a lot of research on him when we had the (ILT20) development tournament (that showcased UAE talent) and we had to pick 15 players (for that). He was one on the top of our list, and then (obviously) we got to watch him bowl for us in that development tournament.
“So personally I got to watch a lot of the games online on TV or on the ‘phone, and then it was also about getting the knowledge from people who were actually there and you add the two bits together.
“And it was not just about his raw ability and his raw pace; he has got a great head on his shoulders and is very eager and hungry to learn, which is great.
“He is a young man who is hungry and can further his career with the coaching staff and the players that we have here at his disposal. I am very excited for him.”
The Head Coach also spoke about the lessons learnt from a disappointing season two of the DP World ILT20 when the team missed out on reaching the playoffs:
“I think it is only fair for myself to keep that reflection in-house, but as a coaching group and support staff, we reflect on the season and that was something I did myself, individually, too.
“But really, that season is there, and it has been done and dusted and something to really learn from. It is then about bringing that knowledge that we picked up on from last year, where it did not go quite to plan, and bringing it forward to this season.
“Personally, I am really excited about this season. Everyone is. It is just nice catching up already with a few of the coaches and support staff. There is a really nice feel about the place as there always is and always has been.
“The feeling is just real excitement about this season. We have got a similar core of players with a few new additions. I believe we have got a brilliant squad, I really do.
“From there, it is just about piecing it together and getting our preparation right for that first game. We have got a nice warm-up game in there as well. Then it is a very busy schedule.
“I think everyone has seen the fixture list. It is full on but that is not unusual. We have had busy schedules in the past as well. So, it is about boxing clever as well. We have got a quality squad and no doubt, we will be using that squad.
“I am really looking forward to working with the players again. (There are a) few new players are coming on board who I am personally excited to work with. And, as I mentioned at the end of the tournament 12 months ago, we will give it a red hot crack (at winning the trophy).
“We have got a brilliant squad, we strengthened our squad and the mindset for us as a group is about winning this competition. It is very, very simple.
“It is not about just doing enough to qualify. It is about winning this competition and it is important that that gets fed throughout the whole group.
“You cannot just say – ‘we have got to win this competition’ – that does not bring you a win. It is still about doing the simple things right. It is still going through all the processes. There is still a lot of effort that goes into that, but I fully expect us to be at the high end.”
The Desert Vipers first match of the 2025 DP World ILT20 is on day two of the tournament, against the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders at Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi, starting at 2pm.
