Australia have Kiwis in desert, lift maiden T20 World Cup title in style

Australia’s Mitchell Marsh and David Warner celebrate a boundary during the T20 World Cup final against New Zealand in Dubai yesterday. Pic/AFP

The only good deed Australian captain Aaron Finch did for his team was win the crucial toss and his side made the most of it by winning their maiden T20 World Cup at the Dubai Stadium, where 11 of the previous 12 games had been won by the chasing team. Despite a superb knock of 85 by New Zealand captain Kane Williamson which helped them post 172 for four, the target proved easy meat for the Australian batsmen as the Kiwi bowlers struggled to contain the flow of runs as batting, like has been throughout the tournament, became easier in the second session.

Australia pacer Josh Hazlewood celebrates the wicket of Daryl Mitchell. Hazlewood took 3-16

David Warner again was at the helm of the Australian chase, getting a fine half-century after the early departure of Finch for five, He, along with Mitchell Marsh (77 not out off 50 balls, 6x4, 4x6) paved the way for victory by putting on 92 for the second wicket. After Warner's dismissal (38-ball 53, 4x4, 3x6), Marsh along with Glenn Maxwell (28 not out) completed the formalities to help the Aussies win by eight wickets with seven balls to spare, as New Zealand failed to break the jinx of the team defending a target coming second best at this venue. Also, it was yet another disappointment for Williamson and his team after they had lost the 2019 World Cup final to England in dramatic fashion. The only solace for them was winning the World Test Championship against India earlier in June.

After Williamson provided the Kiwis with a much-needed boost with an explosive knock of 85, which was not only the fastest half-century in a T20 World Cup final, but also equalled the highest score made in a final - by Marlon Samuels (85 not out) in the 2016 final, it seemed New Zealand had enough on the board. But the authority with which Warner and Marsh in particular batted, the Kiwis had no chance. However, there was no doubt that the innings of the final was played by Williamson, who scored his runs off just 48 balls, including 10 fours and three sixes.

NZ skipper Kane Williamson during his 48-ball 85

After a slow start with the first 18 runs coming off 19 balls, Williamson switched gears as the next 67 came off just 29 deliveries. He had survived a chance on 21 when Hazlewood at deep fine-leg spilled the ball to find the boundary when the Kiwi captain had clipped pace spearhead Mitchell Starc's full toss straight to the fielder. It seemed it was a costly lapse as Williamson again picked out Starc to smash four fours and one six in a 22-run 16th over and put on 68 with Glenn Phillips. But Hazlewood made amends in his final, dismissing both Williamson and Phillps (18).

Brief scores
New Zealand 172-4 in 20 overs (K Williamson 85; J Hazlewood 3-16 lost to Australia 173-2 in 18.5 overs (D Warner 53, M Marsh 77 not out) by eight wickets

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