Lockie Ferguson to help relaunch youth fast bowling challenge

Veteran Black Caps pace bowler Lockie Ferguson has partnered with New Zealand Cricket to relaunch the Youth Fast Bowling Challenge. The competition, which returns after an 18-year hiatus, is open to boys and girls aged 15 to 18. Registrations for the revamped challenge open on Friday, 2 October.

Entrants will qualify using the Yorker app, a smartphone tool founded by Ferguson that uses high-speed video at 240 frames per second to measure delivery speeds. The app also provides guidance on strength and workload management to help prevent injuries.

The boys' finalists will be flown to Wellington to compete during the lunch break of day three of the first Test between the Black Caps and India on 21 November. The girls' final is scheduled for the innings break of the first ODI between the White Ferns and Bangladesh on 18 December at the same venue.

Finalists will bowl three deliveries on the main pitch with their speeds tracked live on the big screen. Winners will receive a professional coaching session and an NZC prize pack. A women's ambassador for the competition will be named next week.

Where reports differ

• One report states the boys' qualification period is during October and November, while another says it runs through October.

Compiled from reports by The Post and Stuff.