Australia created history on Sunday evening in Dubai after they lifted their first ever T20 title. The Aaron Finch-led side defeated New Zealand by 8 wickets in the final to clinch the victory.
Chasing a stiff total of 173, Australia lost the skipper Finch early in the innings but opener David Warner and Mitchell Marsh who had come in at number three steadied the ship and unveiled a brilliant performance with the willow.
The two batters chipped in with a stand of 92 runs for the second wicket before Warner was cleaned up by Trent Boult for a 38-ball 53 which included three maximums and four fours during the course.
But Warner’s departure didn’t really make a huge impact on the scoring rate as Marsh continued with his form and eventually returned unbeaten at 77 off 50 deliveries to see his side home. Maxwell who had come in at number four faced some issues initially but managed to score 28* off 18.
Earlier, in the day, New Zealand rode on some emphatic batting from Kane Williamson to put 172/4 on the board in 20 overs. Williamson notched up 85 off 48 during the course.
For Australia, it was Josh Hazlewood who was the pick of the bowlers after he returned with figures of 3/16 in 4 overs. But the pacer Mitchell Starc had a dismal run after he was hit for 60 runs in 4 overs.
New Zealand captain Kane Williamson said that they were able to put up a competitive total but it was sheer brilliance from Australia that they chased it down.
“We were trying to get a platform and the surface was holding a fraction. But typical to here in Dubai. 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,” he said during the post-match presentation.
Australia skipper Aaron Finch hailed the players on the way they performed in the tournament.
“This is huge, to be the first Australia team to do it. So proud of how the guys went about the campaign. [Bangladesh game turning point?] Certainly was, backs were against the wall. We had to fight and certainly did that, had some great team and individual performances. [Warner] Can't believe people wrote him off a couple of weeks ago, it was almost like poking the bear,” Finch said.
EXPERTS’ OPINION
Commentator Harsha Bhogle lauded Mitchell Marsh for the kind of innings that he played against New Zealand in the final. “Australia just too powerful. What a player Mitch Marsh has become. Hopefully his body becomes a partner in his future because he is too good to be playing as little he has. Brilliant today,” he wrote on Twitter.
Journalist Ayaz Memon also lavished praise on Australia for their title win. “Outstanding performance by Aussies. Popular sentiment, and their own record in T20s, made their prospects in this match somewhat suspect. But they cane hard at the Kiwis from the start, in bowling and batting, and won by a distance,” he tweeted.
Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra hailed Australia and the way the side fared in the final. “Australia lost Finch and Marsh made the very next over into a big one. Lost Warner and the same treatment meted out in the following over. The ability to counterattack in knockouts is special. Well played, Australia Zampa and Hazlewood were special throughout,” he wrote on Twitter.
Former India bowler Irfan Pathan congratulated Australia on the win. “How many of you thought at the start of the tournament that Australia will even come close to winning this T20 WorldCup 2021 ??? Well done world champion Australia,” he tweeted.
Australia had come into the final after beating Pakistan in the semis while New Zealand defeated England in the semi-final to march ahead.