Lockie Ferguson Sets Record with Four Maidens in Historic Performance
Lockie Ferguson made history by bowling four maidens and taking 3/0 against Papua New Guinea (PNG), leading Lockie Ferguson team to a seven-wicket victory. This achievement marks only the second time a bowler has completed four overs in a T20 International without conceding a run, following Canada’s Saad Bin Zafar who took 2/0 against Panama in 2021.
New Zealand’s Bowling Dominance
Ferguson’s trio of wickets played a pivotal role in restricting PNG to a modest total, leading to their dismissal for 78 runs in 19.4 overs during the first innings.
Trent Boult, in his final T20 World Cup appearance, partnered with Tim Southee to begin New Zealand’s dominance. Southee dismissed opener Tony Ura for 1 in the second over, setting the tone for the rest of the match.
Ferguson struck immediately, removing PNG captain Assad Vala for 6 with his first delivery, restricting PNG to 16/2 in the powerplay.
Ferguson’s Historic Spell
Ferguson continued his exceptional performance by breaking a partnership between Charles Amini (17 from 25) and Sese Bau (12 from 27), finishing with a record-breaking spell of three wicket-maidens. Boult contributed with 2/15, and Southee added 2/11 to the team’s impressive bowling figures.
Spinners Ish Sodhi (2/29 from 3.4 overs) and Mitchell Santner (1/17 from four overs) also took wickets, with Norman Vanua 14 from 13 being one of the few highlights for PNG.
New Zealand’s Successful Chase
Despite early setbacks with the loss of Finn Allen (0) and Rachin Ravindra (6), both dismissed by Kabua Morea (2/4), Devon Conway steadied the chase with 35 from 32 balls. Semo Kamea took the wicket of Conway, but Kane Williamson (18*) and Daryl Mitchell (19*) ensured New Zealand reached their target with 46 balls to spare.
Conclusion of the Tournament
This match was the last for both New Zealand and Papua New Guinea in the tournament, as neither team qualified from Group C. PNG’s performance was expected, but New Zealand’s early exit, following losses to Afghanistan and West Indies, was a significant disappointment for a team ranked fifth in the world at the start of the tournament.
FAQ’S
What record did Lockie Ferguson set in the match against Papua New Guinea (PNG)?
Lockie Ferguson set a record by bowling four maidens and taking 3/0 in a T20 International match against PNG. This is only the second instance where a bowler has completed four overs in a T20 International without conceding a run.
Who was the inaugural bowler to accomplish the same achievement as Ferguson?
The first bowler to achieve this feat was Canada’s Saad Bin Zafar, who took 2/0 against Panama in 2021.
How did Ferguson’s performance impact the match?
Ferguson’s three wickets and four maiden overs were crucial in restricting PNG to a low score of 78 in 19.4 overs, setting the stage for New Zealand’s seven-wicket victory.
Which other New Zealand bowlers contributed significantly to the match?
Trent Boult took 2/15, Tim Southee took 2/11, Ish Sodhi took 2/29, and Mitchell Santner took 1/17, all contributing to PNG being bowled out for 78.
How did New Zealand fare in their chase against PNG’s score?
Despite early setbacks with the loss of Finn Allen and Rachin Ravindra, Devon Conway steadied the chase with 35 runs. Kane Williamson and Daryl Mitchell ensured New Zealand reached their target with 46 balls to spare.
How important was this match within the overall scope of the tournament?
Both New Zealand and PNG concluded their tournament journey with this match, having failed to qualify for Group C. New Zealand’s early exit, following losses to Afghanistan and West Indies, was a significant disappointment given their fifth-place world ranking at the start of the tournament.
Who were the standout performers for PNG in this match?
Norman Vanua scored 14 from 13 balls, and Kabua Morea took 2/4, which were notable performances for PNG despite the team’s overall struggles.
What was the final outcome of the match?
New Zealand won the match by seven wickets, successfully chasing down the target set by PNG with 46 balls remaining.
How did Trent Boult and Tim Southee contribute to improving New Zealand’s bowling performance in this match?
Trent Boult took 2 wickets for 15 runs, and Tim Southee took 2 wickets for 11 runs, both playing pivotal roles in PNG’s batting collapse.
How did the early dismissals affect New Zealand’s chase?
The early dismissals of Finn Allen and Rachin Ravindra by Kabua Morea put New Zealand under some pressure, but Devon Conway’s steady innings and the unbeaten partnership between Kane Williamson and Daryl Mitchell ensured a comfortable victory.
