Lockie Ferguson lands a knockout blow to Steve Smith: Lockie Ferguson defeated Australian star, Steve Smith. As the Kolkata Knight Riders raised their Indian Premier League playoff hopes with a three-walk victory against the Delhi Capitals.
Black Caps quickly played a key role when Calcutta restricted Delhi in Sharjah to 127-9 and graduated in 2-10, including Inform Opener Shikhar Dhawan‘s wicket (24).
But it was his one-on-one match with trans-Tasman rival Smith that would have driven fans in this part of the world crazy.
In his first appearance since the IPL resumed, Smith looked ready to accelerate into the second half of innings after hitting 39.
However, on the first ball of the 13th overs, a slower Ferguson ball sent him on his back as he entered the “box” from an inside edge.
After a short delay and after Ferguson checked the Australian master blaster. Smith tried to react with a wild jerk on the next ball. But this time he was up for the beat and cut a 143kmh Ferguson delivery into his tree stumps.
Ferguson was one of three Kolkata bowlers to win two wickets alongside Sunil Narine and Venkatesh Iyer. While Black Caps teammate Tim Southee finished with 1-29 in 96-5.
And Captain Eoin Morgan praised her coach, Black Caps star Brendon McCullum. The defeat meant that Delhi lost its chance to lead the championship. But it remains well-positioned to qualify in the top two. Both teams have three games left.
Nitish Rana had 36 undefeated on 27 balls, but it was the lower order that he starred in. Particularly Narine, whose 21 runs were all outscored by a Kagiso Rabada. Kolkata crossed the finish line with 10 balls remaining. To take fourth place with 10 points, ahead of the Mumbai Indians in net run rate.
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