Lockie Ferguson delivered a remarkable performance in New Zealand’s final match of the T20 World Cup against Papua New Guinea (PNG), despite New Zealand already being eliminated from the tournament after earlier defeats. Here’s a breakdown of the key highlights from the match:
1. Match Context: New Zealand, having lost their previous Group ‘C’ matches against Afghanistan and the West Indies, had no chance of progressing to the Super Eights. They faced Papua New Guinea in their final group game.
2. Lockie Ferguson’s Performance:
- Bowling Figures: Lockie Ferguson bowled 4 overs, taking 3 wickets for 0 runs. This is the most economical bowling performance in any T20 World Cup match, highlighting his exceptional accuracy and control.
- Wickets: Ferguson made an immediate impact, dismissing PNG captain Assad Vala with his first ball, caught by Daryl Mitchell. He also trapped Charles Amini lbw for 17 and clean bowled Chad Soper for 1.
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3. PNG’s Batting Struggles: Papua New Guinea, playing for pride, struggled against New Zealand’s bowling attack. They were bowled out for just 78 runs, with Ferguson’s contribution being instrumental in their collapse.
4. New Zealand’s Chase: Despite losing opener Finn Allen early, New Zealand comfortably chased down the target of 79 runs in just over 12 overs, finishing at 79-3. Kabua Morea was the most successful bowler for PNG, taking 2 wickets for 4 runs.
5. Trent Boult’s Potential Farewell: Veteran left-arm paceman Trent Boult, who might have played his last international match, took 2 wickets for 14 runs. Boult expressed mixed emotions about potentially ending his career with New Zealand.
6. Captain’s Tribute: Kane Williamson, the captain of New Zealand, praised Trent Boult for his contributions to the team across all formats, calling him a great servant of the game.
Despite the victory over PNG, New Zealand’s campaign in the T20 World Cup ended on a disappointing note. Lockie Ferguson’s exceptional bowling performance, however, was a standout moment in an otherwise challenging tournament for the Black Caps.
