Lockie Ferguson etched his name into T20I history as New Zealand wrapped up their T20 World Cup campaign with a commanding seven-wicket victory over Papua New Guinea on Monday.
The Black Caps, having faced an early exit, concluded their journey with a clinical performance led by Ferguson's remarkable spell.
Ferguson’s unprecedented spell of 4-4-0-3 set a new benchmark for economy in T20Is, as he became the second bowler in history to deliver four consecutive maiden overs.
Only Canada’s Saad Bin Zafar, with figures of 4-4-0-2, has achieved a similar feat.
New Zealand dismantled PNG for a paltry 78 in 19.4 overs, thanks to Ferguson’s magical bowling.
The Kiwis then chased down the target with ease, finishing at 79 for three in just 12.2 overs, securing the win with 46 balls to spare.
The victory, however, was bittersweet. Despite their dominant performances against Oman and PNG, New Zealand’s earlier defeats to Afghanistan and co-hosts West Indies had sealed their fate in the group stages.
Ferguson’s heroics were evident from the onset. His unplayable deliveries pinned the PNG batsmen to their creases, preventing any scoring off his first three overs. Ferguson’s first scalp was PNG skipper Assad Vala, caught at slip for six.
He continued his rampage by dismissing Charles Amini (17) and inducing an edge from Chad Soper (1), securing his record without conceding a run.
Trent Boult (2/14), in his final T20 World Cup appearance, and Tim Southee (2/11) complemented Ferguson’s effort. Boult’s economic start and Southee’s early breakthrough set the tone, with Tony Ura falling at a deep backward point.
PNG’s top order struggled, and their woes were compounded when Mitchell Santner (1/17) and Ish Sodhi (2/29) joined the fray.
Santner’s dismissal of Sese Bau (12) and Sodhi’s two late wickets wrapped up PNG’s innings, underlining New Zealand’s dominance.
Despite PNG’s initial resistance, particularly from Kabua Morea, who dismissed Finn Allen (0) and Rachin Ravindra (6) early in the chase, New Zealand's batsmen ensured a smooth finish.
Devon Conway’s 32-ball 35, featuring three sixes and two fours, laid a solid foundation. Skipper Kane Williamson (18) and Daryl Mitchell (19) then guided the team to victory.
New Zealand’s performance, marked by Ferguson’s spell, highlighted their potential even as they exited the tournament.
The Kiwis, known for their consistency in ICC tournaments, showcased resilience despite the early setbacks.
Ferguson’s feat will be remembered as a historic moment in T20 cricket.
His exceptional control and precision underlined the depth of New Zealand’s bowling arsenal, offering a glimpse of what might have been had they progressed further.
As New Zealand signed off from the T20 World Cup, the focus now shifts to future tournaments, where they hope to build on their strengths and rectify their shortcomings. Ferguson’s record-setting spell serves as a testament to their capabilities and a beacon for their aspirations.
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