Hattrick by Lockie Ferguson as the Kiwis Square the Series!

In my wildest dreams, I never thought I’d be penning an edge-of-the-seat thriller after New Zealand got bowled out for a mere 108 in 19.3 overs. And yet, here we are. The Kiwis, defending their lowest T20 total, delivered a performance that was equal parts gritty and audacious.

The drama began early, with Sri Lanka’s Nuwan Thushara striking on the very first ball. Kiwi opener Tim Robinson fell prey to a searing in-swinging yorker, setting the tone for what was a bowling masterclass. Thushara, alongside the newly revitalized Pathirana—apparently armed with a bag of tricks courtesy of his coach Sanath Jayasuriya—tightened the screws, taking 3 for 11 in his four overs. At this stage, a chase of 109 felt like a stroll in the park for the Sri Lankan batters, especially on home turf.

But, if cricket teaches us anything, it's that "easy" doesn’t exist. Enter Lockie Ferguson, who threw a wrench into Sri Lanka’s plans and shifted the game's entire momentum with a stunning hattrick. Ferguson's victims? None other than the formidable trio: Kusal Perera, Kamindu Mendis, and skipper Charith Asalanka. Quick, fiery, and devastating, Ferguson’s pace was too hot to handle. Though he had to exit with a calf injury after just two overs, the damage was done.

New Zealand’s skipper Mitchell Santner showed strategic brilliance, holding back Glenn Phillips—his golden arm—for the death overs. Phillips, cool as ever, stepped up to the challenge, taking 3 for 6 and sealing Sri Lanka’s fate. Aiding him were Michael Bracewell, with two key scalps, and Zack Foulkes, who picked up the final wicket to send Sri Lanka packing for 103. In a nail-biting finish, New Zealand emerged victorious by a razor-thin margin of 5 runs, leveling the series.

Let’s not overlook Mitchell May, New Zealand’s second-outing stumper, who was everywhere the ball went—snagging five catches and a stumping. Talk about a day at the office!

Yes, the pitch was trickier than a Rubik’s cube, leaving both sides scratching their heads. A T20 track that keeps even the tail-enders on their toes is a curator’s nightmare. Hasaranga, still hampered by a hamstring injury, bowled his heart out (and practically on one leg) to pick up 4 for 17. His delivery to get Glenn Phillips was a gem—Phillips was bowled trying to reverse sweep a googly and looked downright bewildered. Michael Bracewell and Mitchell May couldn’t read him either and succumbed to his flight and turn.

In the end, Sri Lanka just couldn’t handle the Kiwi attack, especially with Ferguson’s hattrick spicing things up. For the Sri Lankans, it was a game that slipped through their fingers. A slight lack of application and some sharp Kiwi bowling brought about their downfall. A pivotal one-day series now awaits, and the 13th promises to be a thriller.

Brace yourselves, cricket fans; this series just got personal.

Source: Srilankasports.com