"Proper X Factor in middle overs for NZ" - Fans react to Lockie Ferguson's 3/59 vs India in 1st ODI
New Zealand pacer Lockie Ferguson bowled exceptionally well during the first One-Day International match against India at Eden Park in Auckland on Friday (November 25).
New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson won the toss and put India to bat first on a surface dubbed "batter-friendly." Indian openers Shikhar Dhawan (72) and Shubman Gill (50) set the tone for the visitors with their 124-run opening stand, before Lockie Ferguson provided the much-needed breakthrough by taking the wicket of Gill in the 24th over.
In the 33rd over of the Indian innings Ferguson stamped his authority once again, bagging two wickets in the space of four balls. He bowled short and wide outside off stump to Indian wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant, who edged it onto the stumps.
Pant's dismissal brought star Indian batter Suryakumar Yadav to the crease. On the very first ball of his innings, 'SKY' played a phenomenal cover drive for a boundary.
But if anyone thought the Indian batting sensation would produce another masterclass with the bat, Ferguson had an upset in store for them.
The New Zealand speedster bowled another short ball to induce the outside edge of Suryakumar's bat, with Finn Allen, positioned at first slip, pouching comfortably. Ferguson's double blow left India at 160 for 4 after 33 overs. He finished his sizzling spell with 3 for 59 from 10 overs at an economy of 5.9.
Here's how cricket fans reacted to Lockie Ferguson's spell on Twitter.
That's the benefit of having a bowler who bowls high pace. Might go for few extra runs but no matter how good batters are, they always rush them into a stroke a bit early or beat them for pace.
#lockieferguson #INDvsNZ
How good is Lockie Ferguson ! Uuuummppph !
#nzvind #nzvindonprime #cricketonprime
Lockie Ferguson is the only bowler troubling the batsman!!
सुबह सुबह ‘लॉकी’ ने भारतीय टीम का हाज़मा ख़राब कर दिया 🙄🤦♂️
#NZvIND #LockieFerguson
Lockie ferguson Vs Umran malik
Pave Vs Pace 🔥
Feel much like Starc loves the ODIs, Lockie Ferguson's preferred format is the ODIs... the longer he bowls the lethal & wicket taker he becomes... Had a great WC 19 too!!! Proper X factor in middle overs #crickettwitter #INDvNZ #INDvsNZ #NZvIND #NZvsIND
Lockie Ferguson gets Pant and in-form Suryakumar Yadav in the same over. Gives a chance to New Zealand to come back into the game.
#NZvIND
Peak lockie Ferguson is this......!
On another note, it's interesting how #LockieFerguson has consistently been brought back into the attack & delivers without fail
What a change over this has been! #RishabhPant & #SuryakumarYadav both back in the hut
#NZvIND
What an Over. 2 Wickets in 4 balls for Lockie Ferguson. 150 List-A Career Wickets for Lockie Ferguson. Congrats.
@BLACKCAPS #INDvNZ @edenparknz @aucklandcricket
Lockie Ferguson! You beauty!
Sky is out for 4 runs off 3 balls. Well Bowled Lockie Ferguson #NZvINDonPrime
Shreyas Iyer's 80 guides India to 306/7
Shreyas Iyer and Sanju Samson continued the task of ticking the scoreboard over with some crackling shots in the middle overs. The pair added 94 runs in 77 balls before Samson departed for 36 off 38 balls in the 46th over.
India put up a commendable 306/7 in the first innings as Iyer scored 80 and Washington Sundar played a wonderful cameo of 37 runs in 16 balls.