New Zealand pacer Lockie Ferguson has highlighted that his team has a good relationship with the England cricket team despite the outcome of the 2019 ICC World Cup final being in England's favour. The fast bowler stated there was no hostility between the two teams, but they still competed on the field. Ferguson believes New Zealand can put pressure on any team.

Lockie Ferguson is confident about New Zealand’s ODI World Cup 2023 chances

Lockie Ferguson was at Lord's for the memorable 2019 World Cup final between New Zealand and England, which ended in a draw. The match was decided by a Super Over, with England hitting more boundaries than New Zealand. In an interview with The Guardian, Ferguson admitted that he could not forget the night of the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup final but also suggested that the side had moved on. 

The Auckland-born bowler bagged figures of 10-0-50-3, dismissing Jonny Bairstow, Jos Buttler, and Chris Woakes at the 2019 World Cup final. He was also New Zealand's highest wicket-taker of the tournament, with 21 wickets in nine matches at 19.47.

"I still have vivid memories of walking out on the last day, banners flying for the World Cup final at Lord's and just the whole spectacle. It was a great day of cricket. Clearly, it came right down to the last moment, and that's great too, but it's been four years," Lockie Ferguson said.

"We've played a lot of cricket since then, we've got a lot of mates in the English side. You won't see any animosity or anything like that, but when we cross the line, we're playing competitive cricket," Ferguson added.

Ferguson claimed that his side wants to enjoy games and is not just focused on winning games. He is confident of the Kiwis lifting the trophy this time. The Kiwis made it to the finals of the last two editions of the World Cup, losing to Australia and England.

"I certainly think this is an exceptional group of players, so of course, we turn up to every tournament trying to win it. Some teams probably think they've got more of a chance, which is fair, but I don't think any team's turning up thinking they can't. Certainly, that's our attitude," Lockie Ferguson said.

"We play professional sport, we're there to win games, and as a group, that's all we can focus on: what we do well as a team, play the cricket we play, with the culture, with the enjoyment factor. It sounds like we always say the same things, but it really is that simple for us, and when we're playing cricket the way we want to play, we know we can put pressure on any team," Ferguson concluded.

New Zealand will open their campaign against England in the ODI World Cup 2023 on October 5 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The two teams met in the ODI World Cup 2019 final, and the Three Lions won the tournament. The Black Caps will aim to win the elusive ICC ODI World Cup with captain Kane Williamson back from injury. The Black Caps are among the ODI World Cup 2023 favourites.