Auckland, March 18 New Zealand fast bowler Lockie Ferguson said that the adaptability of the Black Caps was key to their commanding comeback against South Africa in Hamilton, where the hosts leveled the five-match T20I series 1-1.
After being bowled out for a meager 91 in the series opener in Mount Maunganui, New Zealand regrouped to post 175/6 on a challenging pitch in Hamilton, before sealing a 68-run victory in the second match.
"I think, more than anything, we talk a lot about the Black Caps adapting to the conditions. It's not always as easy as it sounds, but certainly when a wicket we expect to play well doesn't play as well as we think, it's important to try and figure out what a good total on that wicket is. Sometimes you don't get that right.
"But at the same time, I think (the Hamilton game) was a good example of us adapting very quickly. Probably, I thought 175 was an outstanding total on that wicket. Although Dev (Devon Conway, who scored the highest with 60), was probably not as fluid as he always looks, it was a challenging wicket, and he got the runs that we needed and posted a great total," Ferguson was quoted as saying by the ICC on Wednesday.
The match in Hamilton was particularly significant for Ferguson, as he had missed the initial part of the home summer due to an injury and had also taken time off for the birth of his first child in preparation for the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup.
"I really miss playing in New Zealand. It was unfortunate to start the summer with an injury. I was really looking forward to a lot of T20 cricket at home. I love playing in New Zealand in front of the home crowd, in conditions that I'm used to. So, I was thrilled to get a game last night. The bowling group as a whole were great, and they made my job a bit easier, with pressure from both ends," added Ferguson.
Fellow pacer Ben Sears also caught everyone's attention with a three-wicket burst in Hamilton, which Ferguson appreciated. "He (Sears) still has more pace in him, I think. But look, he's bowling well. It's good to see him getting consistent training time with us overseas. He was working on his game every training session.
"I saw him running in hard and working on different variations, different lines, asking the right questions. And it's that development that we've seen in the last few years, which will stand him well in the next few years, and as long as his career goes."
"But it was a pleasure for me to watch from the side, seeing him get extra bounce, and scaring some of the batters certainly. And I'm looking forward to seeing how he goes at Eden Park in the third T20I too," he elaborated.
With the series finely poised, attention now shifts to Auckland's Eden Park for the third game on Friday. It is a ground that presents its own unique set of challenges, with short boundaries. "It can be daunting playing at Eden Park for sure. It's obviously a shorter boundary, straight.
“The crowd feels like they're right on your back. But the thing we get at Auckland is we get a great crowd supporting us. We always have amazing games of cricket there. So I certainly love playing there," concluded Ferguson.
