New Zealand ended their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 campaign on a high note with a dominant victory over Papua New Guinea (PNG) at the Brian Lara Stadium. The Black Caps successfully chased down a modest target of 79 runs after bowling out PNG for 78 in 19.4 overs.
In a match that saw fast bowler Lockie Ferguson enter the record books, New Zealand’s bowlers showcased their prowess. Ferguson bowled four consecutive maiden overs, a rare feat in T20 cricket, and finished with remarkable figures of 4-4-0-3. His exceptional performance dismantled PNG’s batting lineup, contributing significantly to New Zealand’s comprehensive win.
Lockie Ferguson gives PNG a nightmare
Ferguson, coming in as a first-change bowler, followed up the early breakthroughs made by Tim Southee and Trent Boult. Southee and Boult had already decimated PNG’s top order, setting the stage for Ferguson’s heroics. The right-arm pacer dismissed PNG skipper Assad Vala, followed by Charles Amini and Chad Soper, completing a spell of bowling rarely seen in the shortest format of the game. Boult and Southee also made significant contributions, each taking two wickets and applying relentless pressure on PNG’s batsmen.
Chase stumbles but New Zealand prevails
New Zealand’s chase, although small, was not without its challenges. The Kiwis lost Finn Allen, Rachin Ravindra, and then Devon Conway, who top-scored with 35 runs. Despite these setbacks, Daryl Mitchell and Kane Williamson ensured there were no further hiccups, steering New Zealand to victory with 7 wickets in hand and 46 balls to spare.
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New Zealand finish third in Group C
Both New Zealand and PNG were already out of the Super 8 contention before the start of the match. Afghanistan and West Indies secured the two qualifying spots from Group C. New Zealand ended their campaign in third place with two wins and two defeats.
As the Black Caps reflect on their mixed performance in the tournament, the final match against PNG provided a moment of brilliance, particularly from Ferguson, ensuring they exited the competition with heads held high.
Here’s how fans and cricket experts reacted on X:
Don’t think anybody in our life will be able to break this record of Lockie Ferguson. pic.twitter.com/4lzv1jlPoI
— R A T N I S H (@LoyalSachinFan) June 17, 2024
Even if it’s against an associate team, Lockie Ferguson’s 4-4-0-3 right up there with Sunil Narine bowling a maiden super over to Pooran and Yuvraj hitting six sixes in an over to Broad in terms of rarity of achievement. #NZvPNG #T20WorldCup
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) June 17, 2024
LOCKIE FERGUSON BOWLED 4 CONSECUTIVE MAIDENS:
4-4-0-3. 🤯
– FIRST TIME IN HISTORY IT HAS HAPPENED. pic.twitter.com/XWR4vxRN4M
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) June 17, 2024
FOUR OVERS FOUR MAIDENS by Lockie Ferguson
The Biggest Anti Academy Spell of All time 🤯🤯 pic.twitter.com/uezHJkq7GE
— Dinda Academy (@academy_dinda) June 17, 2024
– 4 OVERS.
– 4 MAIDENS.
– 3 WICKETS.
LOCKIE FERGUSON, YOU BEAUTY 🥶 pic.twitter.com/HLQQ9fwxgP
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) June 17, 2024
Most wonderful and Economical spell – Lockie Ferguson 0/3(4), History made today. pic.twitter.com/3C2AGrWzBb
— Shivani (ShivkiVani) (@_Shivkivani) June 17, 2024
What a spell Lockie Ferguson 👌🙌#T20WorldCup #NZvsPNG #NZvPNG #LockieFerguson pic.twitter.com/scPEgfhCdX
— Saif Ali Khan (@synclairsa) June 17, 2024
CLINICAL performance 🔥 by Lockie Ferguson for the New Zealand 🇳🇿 Black Caps against Papua New Guinea! With 3 wickets from 4 maiden overs, Lockie is looking very dangerous coming into Season II @WSHFreedom 👌 #MLC2024 | #T20WorldCup | #T20 | #WashingtonFreedom pic.twitter.com/AOvwdwWyaF
— Major League Cricket (@MLCricket) June 17, 2024
World record by Lockie Ferguson 💥
4 overs
4 Maidens
0 runs
3 Wickets
Only 2nd bowler after Saad Bin Zafar (Canada) to Bowled 4 Maidens in a T20I match pic.twitter.com/YUVtfq7pTd
— 𝑺𝒉𝒆𝒃𝒂𝒔 (@Shebas_10dulkar) June 17, 2024
Lockie Ferguson creates history against Papua New Guinea#cricket #LockieFerguson #NZvPNG #T20WorldCup #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/sSzAnDkA1x
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) June 17, 2024
A dominant victory for the Kiwis 🇳🇿
A magnificent spell from Lockie Ferguson helps New Zealand end their #T20WorldCup 2024 on a winning note 🙌#NZvPNG | 📝: https://t.co/IVEBi4Wbwa pic.twitter.com/p4KUrOMZSs
— T20 World Cup (@T20WorldCup) June 17, 2024
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