The World Cup 2019 semifinal between India and New Zealand was one of the ‘craziest’ match Kiwi pacer Lockie Ferguson has ever played. The One-Day International was played in two days due to rain.

It was a low-scoring encounter where Team India fell short by 18 runs and Kane Williamson’s New Zealand were through to the finals only to lose to the home team England on the basis of boundary count after the final ended in a tie.

“It was one of the craziest games I’ve ever played over two days. We got the feeling from India that they knew we hadn’t got enough, with their batting attack. At night, we were sleeping on our total of 240, and my girlfriend asked me if I was nervous. I told her we had nothing to lose,” Ferguson said.

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Only 46.1 overs of New Zealand’s innings were possible on the first day at Manchester. Even though India had a strong batting unit, New Zealand’s quick bowlers provided early breakthroughs and dismissed the Indian top order without giving too many runs away.

“The next day, Trent Boult and Matt Henry bowled one of the best opening spells to knock the top off and put all the pressure back on India. It was a great game to win,” the 29-year-old right-arm quick said.

As far as India is concerned, after losing in-from batsmen Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and KL Rahul early, former India skipper MS Dhoni along with Ravindra Jadeja showed a lot of fight but eventually the Men in Blue were all-out for 221.

In the final of the showpiece event at Lord’s, it was another exciting game as the super also ended in a tie after a tied match against England, the hosts were crowned world champions on the basis of boundary count.

(With The Indian Express Inputs)