WATCH: Lockie Ferguson’s stunning hat-trick shatters Sri Lanka’s middle order as New Zealand defend 108

WATCH: Lockie Ferguson’s stunning hat-trick shatters Sri Lanka’s middle order as New Zealand defend 108. (Source – ICC)

In the second T20I against Sri Lanka in Dambulla, ace pacer Lockie Ferguson became the fifth New Zealand player to clinch a hat-trick in the shortest format of the game. The visitors scored only 108 runs in the first innings and needed something extraordinary to remain in the hunt and Ferguson provided exactly that. The 33-year-old bowled only two overs, conceded seven runs and picked up a phenomenal hat-trick across two overs.

Captain Mitchell Santner cleared Kusal Mendis in the third over of the game. Chasing a small total, the hosts were cautious as Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Perera were slowly building a partnership before Ferguson wreaked havoc and shattered Sri Lanka’s middle order. Notably, in the last ball of the sixth over, he bowled a sharp yorker, and Perera hurried to defend it but unfortunately, he nicked it and keeper Mitch Hay picked up a diving catch.

Also Read: Lockie Ferguson’s hat-trick anchors New Zealand to come from behind, win against Sri Lanka

Ferguson also dismissed Kamindu Mendis and Charith Asalanka. In the first ball of the eighth over, Kamindu was adjudged LBW. The 26-year-old decided to review it and the replay showed that it was crashing into the middle leg. He departed for one and in the next delivery, Asalanka made his way back to the pavilion for a golden duck. Like Perera, he nicked it but wasn’t sure of it and decided to review it and DRS showed a clear spike, resulting in his departure.

Watch the hat-trick here:

Hat-trick! 🤯

Lockie Ferguson has just brought this game to life with a crazy couple of overs. 🔥#SLvNZonFanCode pic.twitter.com/8wcOpjpiLQ

— FanCode (@FanCode) November 10, 2024

Sri Lanka were in massive trouble, having reduced to 34/4. Nissanka managed to keep up with the fight but he had barely any support from the other end. He scored a half-century in a low-scoring affair and that helped the hosts remain in the contest as eight runs were required in the final over.

Interestingly, Glenn Phillips turned out to be New Zealand’s death-over specialist as he picked up three wickets in the final over to help the visitors pick up an incredible win. Nissanka’s wicket was extremely vital, as he could have taken Sri Lanka home but Phillips got the better of him in the second ball of the over while Maheesh Theekshana and Matheesha Pathirana departed in the third and fifth ball respectively. With that, New Zealand defended their lowest total in T20I history.