New Zealand fast bowler Lockie Ferguson delivered a stunning performance in the ICC T20 World Cup, marking his name in history with the most economical bowling figures ever recorded in the tournament. Lockie Ferguson’s exceptional spell of 4 overs, 4 maidens, 0 runs conceded, and 3 wickets helped New Zealand secure a comfortable victory against Papua New Guinea (PNG) at the Brian Lara Stadium in Trinidad on Monday, June 17.
The match concluded New Zealand’s campaign in the T20 World Cup 2024 on a high note, as they chased down PNG’s total of 78 runs with ease, achieving the target within 13 overs and clinching a 7-wicket win. Lockie Ferguson’s outstanding performance earned him the well-deserved title of Player of the Match.
Reflecting on his remarkable achievement, Lockie Ferguson expressed satisfaction with the challenging pitch conditions, contrasting them with the high-scoring tracks witnessed during the recent IPL season. “Yeah, no runs today. But yeah, look, obviously a tough wicket to bat on. So I guess from my point of view, coming from the IPL, where there were a lot of runs being scored. It’s nice to have a wicket like that for a change,” Ferguson remarked in a video shared by the ICC on social media.
Acknowledging the rarity of such bowling feats, Lockie Ferguson credited the difficult batting conditions for contributing to his success. “It was just one of those days, I think you sort of have them from time to time, but as I said, the wicket was not easy to bat on. You could see when our boys went on it as well. So I guess from a bowling point of view, nice to be able to bowl on wickets like that. But I can’t see it happen too many times,” he added.
In addition to his exceptional bowling, Lockie Ferguson paid tribute to his teammate Trent Boult, who played his final World Cup match for New Zealand. Expressing mixed emotions about the team’s early exit from the tournament, Lockie Ferguson emphasized his admiration for Boult’s illustrious career and the camaraderie within the squad.
“Look, I love playing for New Zealand. I’m just really gutted we got knocked out the way we did. But at the same time, really enjoyed playing with this group of guys, obviously Boulty with his last game today. It’s going to be sad, not having him with the group. But, you know, it’s been an incredible career and certainly been nice to sort of follow him in every game. So, I wish him all the best,” Ferguson reflected on the departure of Boult.
As New Zealand bids farewell to the T20 World Cup, Lockie Ferguson’s record-breaking performance stands as a testament to his skill and resilience in challenging cricketing conditions, leaving a lasting mark on the tournament.
