Lockie Ferguson takes Hat-Trick as Black Caps edge Sri Lanka

The Black Caps have secured a shared series result following a remarkable defence of just 108 in the second Twenty20 against Sri Lanka in Dambulla.

Lockie Ferguson became the fifth New Zealand man to record a hat-trick in Twenty20 internationals while Glenn Phillips took three wickets in four balls to secure a five-run victory.

Ferguson joined Jacob Oram, Tim Southee (twice), Michael Bracewell and Matt Henry as Black Caps to earn a hat-trick in the format. Anna Peterson is the only White Fern to have achieved the feat.

The paceman removed Kusal Perera in the last ball of the sixth over before dismissing Kamindu Mendis and skipper Charith Asalanka to start to eighth over. Asalanka reviewed the caught behind decision with UltraEdge confirming the hat-trick.

Sri Lanka needed eight off the final over but with Ferguson off the field, Phillips stepped up and was also on a hat-trick after dismissing opener Pathum Nissanka for 52 followed by the stumping of Matheesha Pathirana. A catch chance fell just a few metres short on the next ball but Phillips wrapped up the victory the next ball to finish with 3-6.

Black Caps opener Tim Robinson was dismissed first ball of the match and was joined by Mark Chapman two overs later as the New Zealand top and middle order struggled. Will Young (30 from 32) was the only top six batsman to get beyond five runs with Mitchell Santner (19 from 24) and Josh Clarkson (24 from 25) helping the Black Caps get by 100.

Wanindu Hasaranga (4-17) and Matheesha Pathirana (3-11) did the damage for the home side.

But Sri Lanka also struggled with the bat, with Nissanka scoring more than half his side’s total. Bhanuka Rajapaksa (15) and Maheesh Theekshana (14) were the only other players to reach double figures. Despite that, they still looked a strong chance to win the series with Nissanka still at the crease and wickets in hand at the start of the final over.

But the golden arm of Phillips, which was also vital in the test series whitewash of India, rescued New Zealand yet again.

“At the change of innings, I just wanted the team to fight as a unit,” New Zealand skipper Santner said.

“There was a bit there for seam and spin and we spoke about taking wickets up top ... We wanted to apply pressure, bowl in right areas and let the pitch do the work. Lockie and GP were fantastic.”

This article was first published on nzherald.co.nz and is republished here with permission