The Fort Worth Press - Ferguson hat-trick stuns Sri Lanka to level New Zealand T20 series

USD -
AED 3.67303
AFN 67.838392
ALL 92.377753
AMD 386.688871
ANG 1.800698
AOA 913.502416
ARS 997.768799
AUD 1.531206
AWG 1.8015
AZN 1.696166
BAM 1.840129
BBD 2.017388
BDT 119.39484
BGN 1.84192
BHD 0.376919
BIF 2950.605261
BMD 1
BND 1.337248
BOB 6.928346
BRL 5.750197
BSD 0.999144
BTN 84.369678
BWP 13.59321
BYN 3.269728
BYR 19600
BZD 2.013907
CAD 1.39558
CDF 2868.999932
CHF 0.883035
CLF 0.03573
CLP 985.910202
CNY 7.217203
COP 4436.5
CRC 511.286119
CUC 1
CUP 26.5
CVE 103.742697
CZK 23.922016
DJF 177.924558
DKK 7.03025
DOP 60.208316
DZD 133.442029
EGP 49.2101
ETB 123.478326
EUR 0.94245
FJD 2.262987
GBP 0.78492
GEL 2.74026
GHS 16.285152
GMD 71.502227
GNF 8611.175145
GTQ 7.720606
GYD 209.01701
HKD 7.77921
HNL 25.215231
HTG 131.419485
HUF 387.44023
IDR 15775.3
ILS 3.760604
INR 84.398451
IQD 1308.851756
IRR 42105.000351
ISK 139.019898
JMD 158.767795
JOD 0.709102
JPY 155.062016
KES 129.249581
KGS 86.201889
KHR 4048.796323
KMF 460.374947
KRW 1407.180006
KWD 0.307503
KYD 0.832581
KZT 495.813105
LAK 21907.960971
LBP 89472.248097
LKR 292.168873
LRD 188.329711
LSL 18.052427
LTL 2.95274
LVL 0.60489
LYD 4.840941
MAD 9.911843
MDL 17.884664
MGA 4670.637273
MKD 57.970401
MMK 3247.960992
MOP 8.005344
MRU 39.705121
MUR 47.189429
MVR 15.459973
MWK 1732.200487
MXN 20.60015
MYR 4.45702
MZN 63.924983
NAD 18.051918
NGN 1676.550213
NIO 36.770621
NOK 11.092875
NPR 134.99873
NZD 1.687575
OMR 0.385029
PAB 0.999078
PEN 3.775893
PGK 4.01385
PHP 58.719841
PKR 277.683782
PLN 4.100974
PYG 7806.663468
QAR 3.64259
RON 4.690204
RSD 110.268975
RUB 97.750531
RWF 1371.17641
SAR 3.757184
SBD 8.351256
SCR 14.059865
SDG 601.498728
SEK 10.916545
SGD 1.338865
SLE 22.799618
SOS 571.033393
SRD 35.234985
STD 20697.981008
SVC 8.742614
SZL 18.043677
THB 34.738062
TJS 10.620208
TMT 3.5
TND 3.141024
TOP 2.342098
TRY 34.383803
TTD 6.789548
TWD 32.495501
TZS 2663.729768
UAH 41.382279
UGX 3671.15761
UYU 42.122199
UZS 12792.683443
VES 44.872833
VND 25350
XAF 617.19122
XCD 2.70255
XDR 0.752722
XOF 617.19122
XPF 112.21355
YER 249.775034
ZAR 18.091397
ZMK 9001.201624
ZMW 27.201475
ZWL 321.999592
  • RBGPF

    59.3400

    59.34

    +100%

  • CMSC

    -0.1800

    24.54

    -0.73%

  • RIO

    -1.4000

    61.2

    -2.29%

  • BCC

    -2.0100

    141.13

    -1.42%

  • AZN

    0.4000

    65.19

    +0.61%

  • NGG

    -1.2400

    62.9

    -1.97%

  • BCE

    -0.1600

    27.69

    -0.58%

  • SCS

    0.0200

    13.67

    +0.15%

  • CMSD

    -0.2100

    24.75

    -0.85%

  • RYCEF

    -0.0500

    7.11

    -0.7%

  • GSK

    -0.8300

    35.52

    -2.34%

  • JRI

    -0.3000

    13.22

    -2.27%

  • BTI

    0.0900

    35.24

    +0.26%

  • RELX

    -1.2100

    46.59

    -2.6%

  • BP

    -0.7600

    28.16

    -2.7%

  • VOD

    -0.8500

    8.47

    -10.04%

Ferguson hat-trick stuns Sri Lanka to level New Zealand T20 series
Ferguson hat-trick stuns Sri Lanka to level New Zealand T20 series / Photo: © AFP

Ferguson hat-trick stuns Sri Lanka to level New Zealand T20 series

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 T20 at Dambulla on Sunday.

Text size:

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 in Dambulla, who watched in dismay as the hosts struggled to counter his lethal deliveries.

Wicketkeeper Mitchell Hay had an exceptional outing, completing six dismissals —- a record in T20I cricket.

Having missed the series opener due to calf stiffness, Ferguson returned to the lineup with a vengeance, bowling with impeccable control.

His 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.

Ferguson's reputation as a T20 specialist continues to grow.

In his previous outing at the T20 World Cup in the Caribbean, he bowled four consecutive maidens, capturing three wickets without conceding a single run.

His heroics in Dambulla will undoubtedly make him a coveted player in the upcoming IPL auction.

For Sri Lanka, Pathum Nissanka fought a lone battle.

Ranked eighth among T20 batters in the ICC rankings, 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 off 51 balls, 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.

Sri Lanka had won the first game on Saturday by four wickets.

The two teams will now shift focus to a three-match ODI series, beginning with the first game at Dambulla on Wednesday, before moving to Pallekele.

M.T.Smith--TFWP