Aussies clinch maiden ICC T20 World Cup title

KABUL (Pajhwok): Mitchell Marsh and David Warner smashed half-centuries to power Australian to an emphatic eight-wicket triumph over Kiwis in the final of the ICC T20 World Cup 2021.

Marsh and Warner enabled the Aussies to chase down 173 — hands down – and clinch their maiden T20 World Cup title at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday night.

Put in to bat, New Zealand scored 172 for the loss of four wickets — thanks to a classy 85-run knock off 45 balls by skipper Kane Williamson. It was the highest total scored in a Men’s T20 World Cup final.

Determined and audacious as they were, the Aussies launched the chase in style and bagged the title with eight wickets and seven balls to spare.

Despite losing skipper Aaron Finch early, Australia were lent stability by Warner and Marsh, who plundered 14 runs off the first three deliveries he faced.

They were at the crease when Australia reached 43/1 at the end of the power-play. They duo chipped in with 39 runs in the following four overs as their side needed 91 from 60 to win at the halfway stage.

Warner thrashed Jimmy Neesham for a six in the 11th over to score his fifty off 34 balls. He was removed for 53 by Boult, but Marsh saw Australia dry and home.

He went to set a new record for the fastest 50 in a T20 World Cup Final and finished on 77 from 50.

It was Glenn Maxwell who struck Tim Southee for four and prompted his teammates to flood onto the pitch and join in the celebrations.

Aaron Finch, the triumphant captain, remarked: “This is huge. To be the first Australian team to be able to do it. So proud. We knew our backs were against the wall. We had some great individual performances, some great team performances. Can’t believe people wrote him off saying he was done (Warner). That’s when he plays his best cricket. Was almost like poking the bear. The player of the tournament for me (Zampa). Mitch Marsh – what a way to start his innings today. Wade came into this game with an injury cloud but got a job done…”

New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson said: “It was nice to build some partnerships and get what we thought was a competitive total. Only to be chased superbly by Australia. They’re a fantastic side. We certainly made every effort. Guys came out and committed to their plans. They didn’t give an inch really. Really proud of our team’s efforts throughout. Came here in the final and gave it our best shot but it wasn’t enough. Conditions varied a lot from venue to venue but we adjusted well. Nice to get to the big dance. Credit to Australia. Today they really turned it on. High hopes coming into this game. Never nice. Winning and losing are two possible outcomes.”

Man-of-the-Match Marsh said: “We have got some amazing cricketers here. We haven’t had a chance to play together for different reasons for the last 12 months…

“We knew when we came together how much talent we had. There’s enormous talent in the team. When we were in WI and Bangladesh, there were a few missing pieces, Mitch Marsh took one of those pieces and he’s been brilliant. We also embraced fun. In these situations, when everyone’s talking about bubbles, these guys have had so much fun on and off the ground. In this form of game, you actually it’s important to have fun and enjoy, the guys have done that. I think that was a really important part of the success here. Zamps puts a smile on my face everytime because he’s a little bit different and he’s a little bit hippie but he’s so competitive, he’s been so good in this form of the game. We see leg-spinners having an impact around the world and he’s doing that for Australia. Josh Hazlewood – he didn’t play the last one-day WC because he had some back issues. He’s been sublime here, it’s been a great team effort.”

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