Cricket World Cup 2019: Blackcaps speedster Lockie Ferguson looking to be 'aggressive' against England

Blackcaps bowler Lockie Ferguson plans to go all guns blazing when they meet England in the Cricket World Cup final at Lord's on Sunday.

A day after New Zealand stunned India to reach the final, hosts England obliterated Australia in the second semi-final at Edgbaston, chasing down the 224 run target with eight wickets and 107 balls to spare.

The results mean England and New Zealand will battle it out to have their name engraved on the trophy for the first time.

England heads into the showpiece event as favourites, having demolished the Blackcaps by 119 runs nine days ago in Durham.

Ferguson missed the defeat with tightness in his hamstring, but that hasn't stopped the 28-year-old wanting revenge.

The paceman is New Zealand's leading wicket-taker in the tournament with 18, and he plans to put England's opening batsmen under all sorts of pressure with his speed and aggression with the ball.

"It didn't go our way in the round-robin game so we will have to look at areas to improve on in that game, but it's hard to tell at this point, it's going to be a different ground and different pitch," he explained. 

"I was on the sideline, so it's hard for me to take too much not bowling against them but in a way that might play in my favour.

"I think with a team that does through a lot of punches, for me, it's essential to throw punches back and keep looking to be aggressive and take wickets.

"My role is to be aggressive, create chances, create wickets, put the batters under pressure of sorts, and fortunately I've been getting some wickets along the way and obviously some fantastic catches from the likes of Martin Guptill."

Ferguson said it has only just sunk in that the Blackcaps are playing in the World Cup final, calling it the "highlight" of his career so far.

"It felt like a regular win, and it didn't sink in until I was the bus and going back to the hotel, and the boys were pretty cheery, of course.

"Woke up this morning, it was a bit strange for sure, but it's sunk in now, and we have a few days to prepare.

"Everyone on the team is pretty emotional to be playing a World Cup, especially for your country. It's probably the highlight of my career so far for sure, but at the same time, it's just another game of cricket." 

Meanwhile, Blackcaps batting coach Craig McMillan said the 18-run win over India was the team's best performance at the World Cup to date.

"It was probably the most complete performance we've put on the board at this world cup, and it came at a great time," he said.

"The guys are obviously pretty exhausted after the two days because mentally that was very taxing on the players, and the support staff, the coaches, and everyone as well!

"We won't change too much. Why would you want to change things when you've been successful up until a point just because there's one more game to go? So we will continue doing things we've done well.

There are some big stakes at the end of this match, but at the end of the day, it's another cricket match, and you break it down as simple as that." 

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Join us at 9:30pm Sunday for live updates of the Blackcaps in the Cricket World Cup final