Taruba [Trinidad and Tobago], record-breaking bowling from Lockie Ferguson and a clinical all-round performance from New Zealand saw them bow out of the ICC T20 World Cup with a seven-wicket win over Papua New Guinea. Taruba on Monday.
New Zealand finished third in Group C with two wins and two losses against West Indies and Afghanistan, giving them four points. With the win in this game, the Kiwis were able to save some pride and bounce back from their worst World Cup performances in the 50-over and 20-over formats in the last few years.
The Kiwi team, which came to chase the target of 79 runs, had a bad start and opener Finn Allen was out on zero on the second ball of the innings off the bowling of Kabua Morea.New Zealand were 0/1 and Allen's poor form continued in the tournament.
Rachin Ravindra and Devon Conway, both left-handed batsmen, put together a short partnership. There was no pace on the wicket for the batsmen to take advantage of and as a result the timing was not that good.
Morea also ended Rachin's sluggish innings by taking the catch of Semmo Kamiya after scoring six runs in 11 balls. New Zealand's score was 20/2 in 4.1 overs.At the end of six overs after the powerplay, New Zealand's score was 29/2 and they needed 50 runs to win.
Conway continued to hit any odd ball for a four or a six, while captain Kane Williamson joined him at the other end. The ninth over was useful, in which Conway scored 14 runs with the help of a four and a six.
New Zealand reached 50 runs in nine overs.
Kamiya ended the partnership between Williamson and Conway, trapping the latter leg before wicket for 35 off 32 balls with two fours and three sixes.New Zealand's score was 54/3 in 9.2 overs.
At half-time of their innings, the Kiwis were 56/3, with Williamson (12*) and Daryl Mitchell (2*) unbeaten.
Mitchell and Williamson led the team to victory with Williamson (19*) and Mitchell (18*) ending the innings at 79/3 in 12.2 overs.
Talking about the match, the Kiwi team won the toss and decided to bowl first. With Charles Amini (17), Norman Vanua (14) and Sese Bau (12) crossing double figures, PNG managed to make 78/10 in 19.4 overs.The 27-run partnership between Amini and Bau for the third wicket was the biggest partnership for PNG.
Tim Southee (2/11), Trent Boult (2/14), Ish Sodhi (2/29) and Mitchell Santner (1/17) also bowled well for the Kiwis. Lockie Ferguson took three wickets in his four overs but did not concede any runs, making it the most economical spell in T20I cricket.
New Zealand (Playing XI): Finn Allen, Devon Conway(w), Rachin Ravindra, Kane Williamson(c), Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Lockie Ferguson, Trent Boult
Papua New Guinea (Playing XI): Tony Ura, Assad Vala (capt), Charles Amini, Sese Bau, Hiri Hiri, Chad Soper, Kiplin Doriga(w), Norman Vanua, Eli Nao, Kabua Morea, Semo Kamiya.
New Zealand finished third in Group C with two wins and two losses against West Indies and Afghanistan, giving them four points. With the win in this game, the Kiwis were able to save some pride and bounce back from their worst World Cup performances in the 50-over and 20-over formats in the last few years.
The Kiwi team, which came to chase the target of 79 runs, had a bad start and opener Finn Allen was out on zero on the second ball of the innings off the bowling of Kabua Morea.New Zealand were 0/1 and Allen's poor form continued in the tournament.
Rachin Ravindra and Devon Conway, both left-handed batsmen, put together a short partnership. There was no pace on the wicket for the batsmen to take advantage of and as a result the timing was not that good.
Morea also ended Rachin's sluggish innings by taking the catch of Semmo Kamiya after scoring six runs in 11 balls. New Zealand's score was 20/2 in 4.1 overs.At the end of six overs after the powerplay, New Zealand's score was 29/2 and they needed 50 runs to win.
Conway continued to hit any odd ball for a four or a six, while captain Kane Williamson joined him at the other end. The ninth over was useful, in which Conway scored 14 runs with the help of a four and a six.
New Zealand reached 50 runs in nine overs.
Kamiya ended the partnership between Williamson and Conway, trapping the latter leg before wicket for 35 off 32 balls with two fours and three sixes.New Zealand's score was 54/3 in 9.2 overs.
At half-time of their innings, the Kiwis were 56/3, with Williamson (12*) and Daryl Mitchell (2*) unbeaten.
Mitchell and Williamson led the team to victory with Williamson (19*) and Mitchell (18*) ending the innings at 79/3 in 12.2 overs.
Talking about the match, the Kiwi team won the toss and decided to bowl first. With Charles Amini (17), Norman Vanua (14) and Sese Bau (12) crossing double figures, PNG managed to make 78/10 in 19.4 overs.The 27-run partnership between Amini and Bau for the third wicket was the biggest partnership for PNG.
Tim Southee (2/11), Trent Boult (2/14), Ish Sodhi (2/29) and Mitchell Santner (1/17) also bowled well for the Kiwis. Lockie Ferguson took three wickets in his four overs but did not concede any runs, making it the most economical spell in T20I cricket.
New Zealand (Playing XI): Finn Allen, Devon Conway(w), Rachin Ravindra, Kane Williamson(c), Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Lockie Ferguson, Trent Boult
Papua New Guinea (Playing XI): Tony Ura, Assad Vala (capt), Charles Amini, Sese Bau, Hiri Hiri, Chad Soper, Kiplin Doriga(w), Norman Vanua, Eli Nao, Kabua Morea, Semo Kamiya.