Fast bowlers get chance to show their pace
Arguabley New Zealand’s fastest bowler, Lockie Ferguson and New Zealand Cricket are relaunching the NZC Youth Fast Bowling Challenge (YFBC).
Registrations for the revamped competition open at midday on Friday October 2, with boys and girls aged 15 to 18 on October 1 eligible to qualify through the Ferguson-founded fast bowling Yorker app.
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Contestants can sign up at nzc.nz/fastbowling to get their unique entry code and a free six month subscription to the Yorker app, with qualification open during the month of October for boys, and October-November for girls.
The five fastest bowlers in each cohort, along with a sixth ‘Yorker Wildcard’, will receive an NZC prize-pack, four tickets to a home international, and be flown to Wellington to compete in the NZC YFBC Finals.
The boys’ final is scheduled for the lunch break of day three (Nov 21) of the first Test between the Black Caps and India (Nov 19-23), with the girls’ final set for the innings break of the first ODI between the White Ferns and Bangladesh (Dec 18), at the Cello Basin Reserve.
It will be a full circle moment for Ferguson, 18 years on from representing Auckland Grammar School in the original National Bank Fast Bowling Challenge at the Basin Reserve in Wellington in 2008.
That day, the Parnell paceman finished second to his schoolmate and future Black Caps teammate Jimmy Neesham, with the pair clocking deliveries in excess of 130 km/h.
Central Stags and Black Caps left-armer Ben Wheeler also featured on that day, as did his future Central Stags teammate Bevan Small, while the previous season’s class of 2007, featured Trent Boult and Corey Anderson, with Anderson taking the top prize that year.
Now 35-years-old and with 120 internationals under his belt - Ferguson wants to find New Zealand’s next young speedsters - this time with the help of his own pace-bowling app.
“Fast bowling is dear to my heart and I’m seriously fizzed to be re-launching this competition in partnership with NZC,” said Ferguson, who approached NZC with the idea during the winter.
“I remember that day at the Basin Reserve in 2008 so vividly. It was amazing to be bowling in the middle of the Basin in front of a huge crowd and with our speeds on the big screen. To think Jimmy and Ben were there that day, and players like Corey and Trent also featured in the previous year - just shows the potential.
“We’ve been working really hard over the past couple of years developing the app which officially launched in June, and with video capturing side-on at 240 frames per second, we believe the data is really accurate and reliable."
Ferguson’s pace is world renowned, with his fastest ever recorded delivery clocked at 157.3 km/h (97.7 mph), and while the right-armer understands the allure of a need for speed at the bowling crease, he also knows the injury risks involved.
“I’ve certainly had my fair share of injuries and I could have avoided many of them had I known then what I do now,” he said.
“Sharing that knowledge around strength and conditioning, and in particular managing bowling loads, was a key reason I started the Yorker app.
“To be able to pass on what I’ve learned over my career and help the next generation of Kiwi quick bowlers is really fulfilling and I can’t wait to see some of the talent we’re going to discover."
NZC Chief Community Cricket Officer Kent Stead said the safety and player development features of the Yorker app, which emphasise building strength and resilience the right way as young bowlers push for pace, had a natural alignment with NZC’s core philosophies.
"Fast bowling can win games and fills grandstands, but it can also take a serious toll on players’ bodies if not managed well,” he said.
“We want to teach young bowlers to manage their bowling loads and build resilience from day one, not after they've already picked up an injury. Lockie's lived both sides of that story and is an ideal person to front this campaign.
“Alongside the education and awareness element of the competition, the fact that we may uncover the next Lockie Ferguson or Lea Tahuhu, is also really exciting from a talent identification point of view.”
Participants can enter for free at nzc.nz, with a complimentary six month Yorker subscription included for all entrants.
A women’s ambassador for the NZC Youth Fast Bowling Challenge will be announced next week.
NZC Youth Fast Bowling Challenge:
Who can enter:
Ages 15 to 18, on Oct 1, 2026
Boys qualifying Oct 2 - 31
Girls qualifying Oct 2 - Nov 30
No school or club needed
Free to enter - 6 months of Yorker included and unlimited attempts
Participants must be a NZ resident & available to attend their respective Final
Head to nzc.nz/fastbowling to sign-up
How the finals will run:
All six finalists bowl three balls each, live on the big screen
Fastest single ball wins
The winner receives a NZC prize pack, plus a one-on-one professional coaching session
