In Trinidad on Monday, New Zealand completed their World Cup campaign with a comprehensive seven-wicket win over Papua New Guinea, as Lockie Ferguson’s made history with the most economical spell in T20Is.
PNG were bowled out for 78 in 19.4 overs as the Kiwi pacer produced an astonishing 4-4-0-3. The home team then chased down their target with a comfortable margin of 46 balls
Only the second bowler in T20I history to bowl all four overs as maidens and return three or more wickets, Ferguson’s display was fantastic alongside Canada’s Saad Bin Zafar who once claimed figures of 4-4-0-2.
However, they were eliminated from the T20 World Cup after earlier losses to Afghanistan and West Indies following good performances against Oman and PNG in Group stage matches.
They lost all four games in Group C did PNG.
New Zealand consistently troubled batters from PNG through strong bowling by Lockie Ferguson among other bowlers.
Kabua Morea resisted for PNG, dismissing Finn Allen without scoring off his second ball during NZ chase and then removing Rachin Ravindra later on (Cricbuzz).
Devon Conway set stage for victory with a brisk 35-ball knock of 35 that included two fours and three sixes; captain Kane Williamson and Daryl Mitchell saw them home comfortably (ESPNCricinfo).
Ferguson’s magical spell had restricted PNG to a low score. For their part, New Zealand successfully kept defensive from start to finish against the visitors’ batters.
Trent Boult last featured for New Zealand at the T20 World Cup starting off with just two runs conceded. The opening fast bowler Tim Southee started it all after Tony Ura was caught deep backward point (Cricbuzz). No wickets came from new ball deliveries by Boult but another quick one followed when he trapped Assad Vala on his first ball of the match (ESPNCricinfo).
He owned three more overs without conceding any run and he only allowed PNG in scoring once. His LBW against Charles Amini was his second wicket.
Sese Bay was removed by Mitchell Santner who got caught at long-on off aggressive shot attempts. Ferguson’s spell ended up without giving a single run as Chad Soper skied one straight to the keeper (Cricbuzz).
During the T20 World Cup Americas Region Qualifier in November 2021, Zafar converged with Ferguson by being the pioneer to bowl four maidens during a T20I when they faced Panama.
Boult picked out Hiri Hiri for his first wicket of the contest following several tight overs. Another Southee’s dismissal had Kiplin Doriga depart soon afterwards (ESPNCricinfo).
Later on in final over, while struggling earlier, Ish Sodhi took two quick wickets to wrap up the PNG innings.
Their comprehensive victory ensured New Zealand left with their heads held high after exiting from this tournament.
