In a thrilling encounter in Super Smash 2021-22 between Auckland Aces and Central Districts, Auckland registered a memorable victory thanks to Lockie Ferguson‘s heroics in the final over. With five needed off the last two balls, Ferguson smashed a six on the penultimate delivery to pull off a scintillating win.
Chasing the target of 169 at Fitzherbert Park in Palmerston North, Auckland were reeling at 34/3 inside seven overs before opener Martin Guptill and captain Robert O’Donnell paired up to get their team out of hot waters. The duo went on to form a crucial 70-run partnership for the fourth wicket to keep their side in the contest.
With Auckland needing 33 runs from 18 balls, wicketkeeper-batter Ben Horne chipped in with a blistering 9-ball 27 before Ferguson flicked one down the fine leg to finish the proceedings. However, Guptill was the chief architect behind the stunning victory, who stayed unbeaten on 79 from 58 balls.
Ferguson repeated a similar feat accomplished by Trent Boult just a few days ago when he slammed a maximum off the final ball to help Northern Brave record a brilliant triumph over Canterbury.
The official handle of Spark Sport shared the video of Ferguson smashing a six with a caption: “Lockie Ferguson channels his inner Trent Boult.”
Here is the video:
https://twitter.com/sparknzsport/status/1475332331028180993
Keeping in mind with Ferguson’s ability to contribute with both bat and ball, he could attract heavy bids in the upcoming IPL 2022 mega-auction. Ferguson represented Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) last season, where he had bagged 13 wickets from eight games but was not retained by the two-time IPL champions.
Overall, the 30-year-old has played 90 T20s and taken 99 wickets. The New Zealand international had, in fact, recently expressed his desire to extend his association with KKR.
In a chat with The Telegraph, Ferguson had said: “Going into the next auction… Of course, I would love to go back to KKR. I love playing for them, and the group of guys, the coaches… (head coach) Brendon McCullum was exceptional… and the way the franchise is run, that too is exceptional. The three years I had at KKR was a really great learning experience for me as a player, and I learnt dealing with the kind of pressure that I wasn’t used to handling as an overseas pro. So I developed a lot as a player and felt that the IPL helped me do that. I would be really happy if KKR put the pedal up for me.”
