Dubai, UAE (Feb 18, 2025) – Desert Vipers Director of Cricket Tom Moody has offered a ringing endorsement for the leadership of Lockie Ferguson during season three of the DP World ILT20.

And the two-time ICC Cricket World Cup winner indicated he would welcome the prospect of the New Zealand fast bowler returning as captain for season four of the tournament in 2026.

Lockie took charge of the playing group for the 2025 edition after his countryman Colin Munro was captain of the side for the first two seasons of the competition.

The team, which finished outside the play-offs in 2024, this time produced a strong season and finished as runners-up, losing the final narrowly to the Dubai Capitals.

Speaking to the Vipers Voices podcast, Tom Moody said: “We would be very keen to continue with Lockie as captain from a continuity perspective, and to have him back as part of the Vipers in 2026 would be an absolute delight.

“I could not offer any more praise for Lockie, not only as a cricketer but also as a captain. I had known him as a cricketer, but this season was my first experience of him personally with a team and I was thoroughly impressed by what he offered.

“His leadership both on and off the field was impressive and I know the players and staff warmed to him very easily.

“Lockie was very clear and empathetic with his approach, and whether he was in the playing eleven or he was either being rested or was carrying a niggle, he still had an impact as a leader. I could not have been happier with the outcome with regards to his leadership.

“As a bowler, Lockie has got genuine pace and ball speed and that was one of the reasons we were keen to secure his services at the Desert Vipers

“And although we were fully aware going into the season he may have needed to rest for the odd game or be sidelined with a niggle or two, it was a risk we were willing to take, knowing our bench strength and also knowing we had Sam Curran who could step in as captain if required.

“Having Lockie as captain was a success and, in that regard, I could not be happier with the choice we made ahead of season three,” he added.

Another choice made by Tom and the team’s management ahead of the season was the decision to put together a settled squad of players whose priority was the DP World ILT20, rather than relying on players who linked up with the franchise once they had finished commitments in other leagues around the world.

And that, too, was something Tom regarded as a success and a factor in helping the Vipers enjoy that strong season.

“I think having players available for the majority, if not all, of the tournament was something we did well this year,” he said.

“We will continue to try and keep that trend because in year two I think one of our downfalls was a lack of continuity with players in the squad coming and going. That did not really allow us to catch fire and get rhythm as a team.

“This time, that continuity meant we had a strong unity within the group. Players and staff enjoyed each other’s company, and it was a great success both on and off the field. It was an ideal environment.”

That said, there were still two key departures at the back end of the tournament, with Pakistan opening batter Fakhar Zaman and Sri Lanka leg-spinning all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga returning to their respective countries for international duty.

They were big losses, but Tom refused to blame their absence on the side’s failure to win the title.

“Yes, they are big players, but their departures created opportunities for others,” he said.

“Max Holden stepped in for Fakhar and it was a thrill to see him come in and be so impactful at the top of the order. And Nathan Sowter came in, to bowl leg-spin, and was superb in Qualifier 2. Then, in the final, I thought he bowled really well, too. He had Rovman Powell stumped, only for that be overturned by the TV umpire. And later on, he had Dasun Shanaka dropped too.

“Yes, we missed two world-class players, as any side would, but we still had enough to get across the line, so there is no point in thinking about ifs, buts and maybes,” he said.

With season three done and dusted, attention is now turning to the next edition of the tournament and what that might look like in terms of the dates, player recruitment, the number of UAE players in starting elevens and whether the impact substitute rule will be retained.

Tom had very clear views on all those issues, and he said: “I think, first and foremost, I would like to see at least one more UAE player in the playing elevens.

“I think we have seen enough over the first three years and seen the growth of the local talent to the point where it would be a great shame if we do not have a minimum of three UAE players in the playing eleven and possibly five in the squad as a minimum number, but you should have the option to have more.

“That is a no-brainer as far as I am concerned because we are also here to develop the game in the UAE as franchises and as a tournament, and the only way we are going to develop talent is by opportunity on the field.

“The impact sub is an interesting one because, at times, it contradicts the point about giving opportunities to UAE players. If you have an overseas player in that role then it can push a batting or bowling opportunity for a UAE player to the back of the queue.

“I am sure that was not what it was intended for and so if the league retains the impact player, then perhaps it can be designated as a UAE player because I think there is enough depth and talent to see the success of that.

“I would like there to be some sort of ability to retain the core of players you have because a lot of people identify the Desert Vipers, for example, with Alex Hales, Sherfane Rutherford or Wanindu Hasaranga, players who have been with us since the outset of the tournament.

“Whether the league then opts for an overseas draft alongside that, along with a UAE player draft that we already have, that is something they can definitely consider.

“If you have open-ended recruitment, there can be a lot of unpredictability, and the market can be warped with inflated prices. If you can control that to an extent, then I think that is healthy for the competition.”

And what will it take in 2026 to ensure the Vipers finally lift the trophy after finishing as runners-up twice in the first three editions of the DP World ILT20?

“I do not think it is going to take any more than what we have done this year for us to end up winning next time,” said Tom. “On and off the field we have done everything right.

“The game at times can come down to small margins and that is exactly what happened this year, hence we were on the wrong side of the result.

“I think if we stay on track and repeat all the positives that we have done this year, I can see us being in a position where we have an opportunity to play finals again in 2026.”

Desert Vipers’ sustainable line of clothing from PALMFIT is now available via our online shop: https://shop.thedesertvipers.com