Auckland, March 18 (NationPress) New Zealand's fast bowler Lockie Ferguson emphasized that the Black Caps' ability to adapt was crucial in their impressive comeback against South Africa in Hamilton, where they equalized the five-match T20I series at 1-1.

After being bowled out for a mere 91 in the series opener at Mount Maunganui, New Zealand regrouped to score 175/6 on a challenging Hamilton pitch, ultimately securing a 68-run victory in the second match.

“We often discuss the importance of the Black Caps adapting to various conditions. It's not always straightforward, especially when a pitch we expect to perform well on behaves unexpectedly. It’s essential to determine what constitutes a good total in such scenarios. Sometimes we might miss the mark,” Ferguson explained.

“However, I believe the Hamilton match showcased our ability to adapt swiftly. I thought 175 was an exceptional score under the circumstances. Even though Devon Conway, who top-scored with 60, wasn’t as fluid as usual, he managed to navigate the challenging wicket and achieve the runs we needed,” he added, as reported by ICC on Wednesday.

The match held particular significance for Ferguson as he had previously missed the early part of the home summer due to injury and took time off for the birth of his first child.

“I truly missed playing in New Zealand. It was unfortunate to start the summer sidelined by an injury. I was eager to participate in numerous T20 matches at home. I love playing in familiar conditions in front of the home crowd. I was thrilled to get a game last night. Our bowling unit worked excellently as a team, relieving some pressure from my end,” Ferguson commented.

Teammate Ben Sears drew attention with a remarkable three-wicket performance in Hamilton, which pleased Ferguson. “Sears still has more pace to unleash, but he's performing well. It’s great to see him getting consistent training time with us abroad. He’s dedicated to refining his skills at every practice session,” Ferguson noted.

“I observed him running in with intensity, working on various change-ups and lines, and asking the right questions. This development over the last few years will benefit him greatly in the future,” he elaborated.

“It was a pleasure to watch him generate extra bounce and challenge the batters. I’m looking forward to seeing his performance at Eden Park in the third T20I,” he added.

With the series now delicately balanced, the focus shifts to Auckland's Eden Park for the upcoming match on Friday. This venue presents its own unique challenges, particularly with its short straight boundaries. “Playing at Eden Park can be intimidating due to the shorter boundary straight ahead. The crowd feels very close, but we are fortunate to have excellent support from our fans there. We always have thrilling matches at Eden Park, and I thoroughly enjoy playing there,” Ferguson concluded.