NZ vs AUS: Australia claims Maiden T20 World Cup title by beating New Zealand in the final | Cricket news
Australia took their first T20 World Cup title, defeating New Zealand in the final at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday by eight wickets. After being overpowered by England in Bridgetown, Barbados in 2010, the Australians were undeniable this time around as they put on an excellent batting show on the hunt for New Zealand. Mitchell Marsh (77 not out) and David Warner were the stars on the hunt for Australia while Josh Hazlewood, ball in hand, was the standout feat.
In the hunt for a tough 173 goal, the Aussies overtook New Zealand with seven balls remaining. Australia effectively started with Warner reaching some borders. However, Aaron Finch's struggles at the height of the order continued when Trent Boult sent him off for just 5 pack. Mitchell Marsh came here to strike after Finch's wicket fell and immediately hit the bottom operation, smashing a six and a four in a row from the first three balls he faced. The Australian all-rounder didn't care after that and went on to bring the New Zealand bowling line-up into submission.
If the marsh barrage was not enough, New Zealand bowlers also had to take care of a formally strong warner who could also discover the border at will. Warner was the first to reach his half-century by hitting a six from James Neesham to reach the landmark. Warner and Marsh added 92 runs with only 59 balls to bring Australia into full control within the pursuit.
Boult returned to provide New Zealand with a much-needed breakthrough by eradicating the harmful Warner for 53, but Marsh was unstoppable. The lanky Australian all-rounder continued to torment New Zealand bowlers and scored an additional half a century. He was joined by Glenn Maxwell, who took a few deliveries to get going before teeing off just as effectively. Marsh and Maxwell saved the discovery of the borders as New Zealand simply couldn't find a way to keep the Australian thugs calm.
At the top, Maxwell closed the problems with the reverse ramp to the 3rd man to put the workforce in ecstasy. Martin Guptill and Daryl Mitchell previously gave New Zealand a stable start to the bat. Failed to replicate his efficiency, Mitchell, who was the hero for New Zealand in the semi-finals against Pakistan, was fired for 11 by Josh Hazlewood.
Guptill and Captain Kane Williamson stabilized the New Zealand innings but did so at the price of the run rate. The duo made sluggish progress and Australian bowlers kept problems on a good leash. But everything changed when Williamson, who hit 21, was dropped in the deep by Hazlewood. Williamson suddenly stepped on the accelerator and skinned the Australian attack. Despite dropping Guptill, the New Zealand skipper continued to attack the Australians.