Cricket Highlights, June 17: WC 2024 (Match 39) – New Zealand vs Papua New Guinea

New Zealand vs Papua New Guinea (Match 39) – Highlights

In this article, we will discuss New Zealand’s concluding match in the T20 World Cup 2024, where they secured a dominant victory over Papua New Guinea. Despite their overall disappointing campaign, New Zealand showcased their prowess by chasing down a modest target of 79 with seven wickets and 46 balls to spare at the Brian Lara Stadium in Tarouba. 

The match featured an exceptional bowling performance by Lockie Ferguson, who recorded figures of 3 for 0 from his four overs, becoming only the second bowler in T20I history to deliver four maidens in a match. We will delve into the key moments, individual performances, and the conditions that influenced the outcome of this one-sided encounter.

Lockie Ferguson’s stunning performance, with figures of 3 for 0 from his four overs, highlighted the one-sided nature of the match. He became only the second bowler to deliver four maidens in a T20I, following Canada captain Saad Bin Zafar’s feat in 2021 when he took 2 for 0 against Panama. 

Ferguson’s precision and speed, combined with the moisture in the pitch and lingering effects of the morning showers that delayed the toss by an hour, created insurmountable challenges for PNG’s batters. Kane Williamson’s decision to bowl first was justified as PNG found themselves struggling at 16 for 2 after the powerplay.

Mitchell Santner’s left-arm spin proved effective, conceding just one boundary. Only Doriga managed to hit Santner for four on his final delivery, after Bau’s earlier dismissal had seemingly intimidated the rest.

Charles Amini top-scored for PNG with 17, part of a 27-run partnership for the third wicket with Sese Bau, before being trapped lbw by Ferguson for his second wicket of the match.

Ferguson’s performance began with Vala’s wicket, inducing a drive that led to a catch. Ferguson’s high pace and movement through the air and off the pitch were too much for PNG. His over-the-wicket approach to the left-handed Bau, switching to round the wicket later, resulted in Amini’s lbw dismissal and hitting Soper’s stumps.

Trent Boult, playing his final T20 World Cup game, claimed two wickets in his last two overs, while Ish Sodhi, making his first appearance of the tournament in place of Jimmy Neesham, also took two wickets, wrapping up PNG’s innings with two balls to spare.

Despite the heavy loss, PNG showed some fight. Kabua Morea, returning to the XI after missing the last two matches, dismissed Finn Allen with the second ball of New Zealand’s innings and later took Rachin Ravindra’s wicket, caught at deep midwicket at the start of the fifth over.

Morea dismissed Allen early and kept Ravindra tied down, who eventually got caught in the deep. The rain returned briefly with New Zealand at 20 for 2, but play continued, and Morea’s figures of 2 for 2 from two overs stood out.

Further excitement came when Semo Kamea trapped Devon Conway lbw. Conway’s 35, featuring two fours and three sixes, had already set the tone for the chase. His partnership with Williamson added 34 runs for the third wicket, New Zealand’s highest of the tournament.

Williamson and Daryl Mitchell then steered New Zealand to victory, scoring the remaining 25 runs from 18 balls, giving New Zealand their second win and consigning PNG to their fourth defeat. Despite PNG’s spirited performances, their batting weaknesses were evident, especially when Allen and Ravindra were dismissed early.

New Zealand vs Papua New Guinea Scoreboard

PNG – 78 (19.4)

New Zealand – 79/3 (12.2)

Result –   New Zealand won by 7 wickets 

Player of the match – Lockie Ferguson

Lockie Ferguson

New Zealand vs PNG Playing XIs  

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