DAMBULLA: Lockie Ferguson unleashed a blistering spell of fast bowling, claiming a hat-trick to power New Zealand to a nail-biting five-run victory over Sri Lanka in the second T20I at Dambulla on Sunday.

The win levelled the two-match series at 1-1, as New Zealand managed to defend a modest target in thrilling fashion.

On a pitch where spinners were expected to thrive, Ferguson defied convention with sheer pace and precision, leaving the Sri Lankan batters helpless. His fiery spell silenced the packed crowd, who watched in dismay as the hosts struggled to counter his lethal deliveries.

Wicket-keeper Mitchell Hay had an exceptional outing, completing six dismissals — a record in T20Is.

Ferguson’s first breakthrough came when he had Kusal Perera caught behind, and he followed up with a searing yorker that trapped Kamindu Mendis plumb in front.

With the hat-trick ball, Ferguson faced captain Charith Asalanka, who attempted to flick but was cau­ght by the keeper down the leg side.

After just two overs of destruction, Ferguson left the field with a calf injury and didn’t return, but he had already done the damage, setting up New Zealand’s triumph.

For Sri Lanka, Pathum Nissanka fought a lone battle.

He scored his 13th half-century, almost guiding Sri Lanka to victory.

With just eight runs needed off the final over, Nissanka took on Gle­nn Phillips, but his shot failed to clear the long-on fielder, ending his valiant 52, studded with six boundaries.

Earlier, Sri Lanka’s bowlers had restricted New Zealand to 108 runs in 19.3 overs. Nuwan Thushara provided a sensational start, claiming two wickets in his opening two overs, while Wanindu Hasaranga wreaked havoc in the middle order, picking up four scalps.

Matheesha Pathirana then mopped up the tail, finishing with three wickets. However, Sri Lanka’s fielding let them down, conceding 19 extras, including 11 byes. That ultimately proved decisive.

SCOREBOARD

NEW ZEALAND:

T. Robinson b Thushara 0

W. Young st K. Mendis b Hasaranga 30

M. Chapman c K.D. Mendis b Thushara 2

G. Phillips b Hasaranga 4

M. Bracewell b Hasaranga 0

M. Hay b Hasaranga 3

M. Santner c Wellalage b Pathirana 19

J. Clarkson b Pathirana 24

Z. Foulkes c Rajapaksa b Pathirana 6

I. Sodhi c K.D. Mendis b Theekshana 1

L. Ferguson not out 0

EXTRAS (B-11, LB-5, W-3) 19

TOTAL (all out, 19.3 overs) 108

FALL OF WICKETS: 1-0 (Robinson), 2-6 (Chapman), 3-33 (Phillips), 4-33 (Bracewell), 5-45 (Hay), 6-52 (Young), 7-84 (Santner), 8-102 (Foulkes), 9-104 (Clarkson)

BOWLING: Thushara 4-0-22-2 (2w), Theekshana 3.3-0-16-1, Wellalage 4-0-26-0, Hasaranga 4-1-17-4, Pathirana 4-1-11-3 (1w)

SRI LANKA:

P. Nissanka c sub (Nicholls) b Phillips 52

K. Mendis b Santner 2

K. Perera c Hay b Ferguson 3

K.D. Mendis lbw b Ferguson 1

C. Asalanka c Hay b Ferguson 0

B. Rajapaksa c Hay b Bracewell 15

W. Hasaranga c sub (Nicholls) b Foulkes 3

D. Wellalage c Hay b Bracewell 1

M. Theekshana c Hay b Phillips 14

M. Pathirana st Hay b Phillips 0

N. Thushara not out 1

EXTRAS (B-4, NB-2, W-5) 11

TOTAL (all out, 19.5 overs) 103

FALL OF WICKETS: 1-6 (K. Mendis), 2-24 (Perera), 3-34 (K.D. Mendis), 4-34 (Asalanka), 5-63 (Rajapaksa), 6-74 (Hasaranga), 7-82 (Wellalage), 8-102 (Nissanka), 9-102 (Pathirana)

BOWLING: Santner 4-0-14-1, Foulkes 4-0-23-1 (2w, 1nb), Ferguson 2-0-7-3 (2w, 1nb), Sodhi 4-0-26-0, Bracewell 4-0-23-2 (1w), Phillips 1.5-0-6-3

RESULT: New Zealand won by five runs.

Published in Dawn, November 11th, 2024