TAROUBA: Lockie Ferguson returned the remarkable figures of three wickets for no runs in his maximum four overs as already-eliminated New Zealand bowed out of the T20 World Cup with a seven-wicket win over Papua New Guinea in Trinidad on Monday.

The 33-year-old fast bowler’s haul was the most economical in any T20 World Cup match. But Ferguson’s superb analysis came too late for New Zealand, who failed to qualify for the second-round Super Eights following back-to-back Group ‘C’ defeats by Afghanistan and the West Indies.

Ferguson’s run-less return helped dismiss PNG for just 78 after New Zealand captain Kane Williamson won the toss.

Non-Test nation PNG, also playing for pride on Monday, made New Zealand work hard for their modest target with Kabua Morea dismissing opener Finn Allen for a duck on his way to 2-4 before the Black Caps finished on 79-3 with nearly eight overs to spare.

PNG were 14-1 from four overs when Ferguson came on to bowl. He struck with his first ball, having PNG captain Assad Vala (six) caught at a wide first slip by Daryl Mitchell.

Ferguson also had Charles Amini lbw for 17 — the top score of the innings — on review, and clean bowled Chad Soper for one.

Last day for Boult

Tim Southee took 2-11 and Trent Boult 2-14 in what could be the veteran left-arm paceman’s last international appearance.

Boult’s T20 international career appeared to have ended with this game but the 34-year-old was uncertain about whether he had played his last game for New Zealand.

“Gutted to not go any further, but I’m very proud of what I’ve done with the Black Caps and sad it’s my last day with New Zealand,” said Boult.

But asked specifically if this was his last game for New Zealand in all formats, he added: “I haven’t thought much further than this. I’m in no position to comment right now. I enjoyed being out there one last time.”

The 34-year-old has been infrequently selected for international duty since being released from his New Zealand central contract in August 2022, allowing him to play in more domestic T20 leagues abroad.

The swing bowler did feature in New Zealand’s 50-over World Cup campaign last year, where they reached the semi-finals.

New Zealand captain Kane Willi­am­son paid tribute to Boult by saying he had been a “great servant of the ga­me” who was “consistent in all formats”.

The star batsman added: “It’ll be sad to see him go, it’s been quite special being with him throughout his career.

“He’s got such an attitude for getting better. He trains very hard, he’s as fit as he’s ever been. He knows how he wants to operate in all formats. He sticks his chest out and performs well for his country.”

Brief scores

PAPUA NEW GUINEA 78 in 19.4 overs (C. Amini 17; L. Ferguson 3-0, T. Southee 2-11, T. Boult 2-14); NEW ZEALAND 79-3 in 12.2 overs (D. Conway 35, D. Mitchell 19 not out, K. Williamson 18 not out).

Published in Dawn, June 20th, 2024