T20 WC 2021, Final: NZ vs AUS Review – Australia clinch their maiden T20 World Cup

Australia created history by beating arch-rivals New Zealand in the final of the T20 World Cup 2021 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on November 14. Set a good enough score, Australia were dominant and ended chasing the total with eight wickets and seven balls to spare.

Earlier in the evening, Australia won the toss and elected to field first. Daryl Mitchell was dismissed for 11 runs while Martin Guptill struggled his way through to 28 runs from 35 balls. Skipper Kane Williamson played a wonderful knock of 85 runs from 48 balls. His innings was the reason why New Zealand had a good enough fighting score. There were cameos from Glenn Phillips, 18 runs, and James Neesham, 13 runs as the Blackcaps ended with a score of 172 for 4.

For the Aussies, Josh Hazlewood was the pick of the bowlers as he finished with three scalps while Adam Zampa picked up one wicket. New Zealand had a sniff when Aaron Finch was dismissed for just five runs. But, it was the stand of 92 runs from 59 balls between David Warner and Mitchell Marsh which set up the chase wonderfully.

Warner was eventually dismissed for 53 runs from 38 balls while Marsh went on to finish the chase with Glenn Maxwell lending support. Marsh was unbeaten for 77 runs from 50 balls while Maxwell, who hit the winning runs, made 28 runs from 18 balls. Trent Boult was fantastic with the ball, ending with figures of 2 for 18. But, it wasn’t enough for New Zealand.

Top performers:

Josh Hazlewood:

The tall pacer has become a fantastic T20 bowler in the last few months. His IPL experience has come to good use in this tournament. He bowled a crucial spell in the final, giving only 16 runs in his four overs. He picked up the wickets of Daryl Mitchell, Kane Williamson and Glenn Phillips.

David Warner:

The southpaw was written off by a few people ahead of the tournament but he will end it as the second-highest run-getter. He was excellent right through this tournament and came good with the bat in the final as well. He hit four fours and three sixes during his knock.

Mitchell Marsh:

His promotion to no. 3 has been one of the best decisions taken by Australia going into this World Cup. Since being dropped in the game against England, he has come back and got some vital runs. But he saved the best for the final. He hit six fours and four sixes and showed why he has been backed regularly by the management.

Records/Achievement

• Williamson’s fifty off 32 balls was the fastest in a T20 World Cup final, a record which was later broken by Marsh who got to the landmark in just 31 balls.
• New Zealand’s 172 was the highest score in a T20 World Cup final, a record which is with Australia now.

What history will show:

Australian men’s team won their eighth ICC title, with their first in the T20 format. They have won five 50-overs World Cup (1987, 1999, 2003, 2007 and 2015) and two Champions Trophy (2006 and 2009). The Australian women’s team has won five T20 World Cups, now its men’s team has one.