Australia clinches T20 World Cup as championship remains elusive for Kiwis 

By Champika Fernando in Dubai

No team has been as consistent as New Zealand over the last six years in global tournaments but their wait for a limited-over title is not yet over as Australia humbled them with a dominant eight-wicket win to lift the T20 World title here at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

As soon as Maxwell reverse-swept Tim Southee past short third man, celebrations erupted with Australian players running into the middle to revel in the moment with fireworks lighting up Dubai skies.

It was yet another heart-breaking tournament for the New Zealanders who did everything right to reach their third straight global final since 2015 (they were finalists at the 2015 and 2019 50-over World Cups). For Australia, their quest for this title is finally over (They were the losing finalists at the 2010 tournament).

New Zealand did well to put on a competitive total of 172 for the loss of four wickets on the back of a swashbuckling half-century from skipper Kane Williamson but the Aussies had little trouble in chasing after David Warner (53), the man-of-the-tournament and Shaun Marsh laid a solid foundation with a rapid second wicket stand of 92 off 59 balls to seal the victory.

After Aaron Finch was sent back early in the chase for just five runs, Warner and Marsh dealt with the bowlers ruthlessly, taking the game away from the Black Caps who will head home with a heavy heart, knowing they could have done better in the field and with the ball. The pair did not look to consolidate but played fearlessly, the hallmark of Australia’s run chase.

It was Australia’s night. Their first T20 title is a deserving one after some dominant performances right through the tournament barring the game they lost to England.

Warner’s 51 off 34 set the tone but it was Mitchell Marsh who captured the limelight with a whirlwind knock. He started off with a massive six over square leg off Adam Milne and reached his half-century (the fastest in a World Cup final (31b) with a six over long-on off Ish Sodhi. 

When Warner’s middle stump was rattled with a Trent Boult screamer in the 13th over of their run chase, they had amassed 107 runs. They still needed 65 runs off 7.3 overs which Marsh and Glenn Maxwell got with seven balls to spare.

Marsh, the man-of-the-final, was unbeaten on 77 off 50 balls with six boundaries and four sixes while Maxwell played brilliantly for his quick-fire 28 off 18 balls, sharing an unfinished 66 run third-wicket stand. Trent Boult bowled well but there was little support from the rest of the attack which barely threatened the marauding Australian batters.

Earlier, New Zealand rode on an excellent half-century by skipper Kane Williamson to put on 172 for 4 after Aaron Finch expectedly put Kiwis to bat first in the finals.

The right-hander produced the best innings of a World Cup final by a captain and also equalled the highest score in a World Cup final by a batter (the record was held by West Indian’s Marlon Samuels who hit an unbeaten 85 in the 2016 World Cup final against England) when he smashed 85 runs off 48 balls, really pressing the accelerator in his last 29 balls. Williamson scored only 18 runs off the first 19 balls but scored 67 off the next 29 balls, striking at 231, such was his command.

With the Australians maintaining a tight line and length, run-making was tough early on, forcing the batters to take risks. Opener Guptill and Kane Williamson were involved in a 48-run second wicket partnership when Adam Zampa had slog sweeping Guptill caught at deep mid-wicket by Marcus Stoinis in the first ball of the 12th over.

In the previous over, Mitchell Starc almost had Williamson caught at deep fine leg when Williamson (21) shovelled a full toss towards fine leg but Hazelwood spilled a sitter over his head with the ball touching the boundary ropes.

Williamson made the best use of the opportunity offered, hitting two more boundaries to collect 19 runs off Starc over. Two back-to-back sixes over deep mid-wicket off Glenn Maxwell saw Williamson reaching his maiden half-century in the 2021 tournament. He took only 32 balls – the fastest half-century of a World T20 final.

New Zealand were 114 for 2 before the final five overs and Williamson took Starc to the sword, hitting four boundaries and a gorgeous flick over mid-wicket for a six to score 22 runs off the 16th over. A blistering 68-run stand for the third wicket between Williamson and Glenn Phillips came to an end when Philips was picked out at Maxwell off the bowling of Hazelwood. 

Skipper Williamson departed when he tried to hit Hazelwood over long off but mis-timed the slower ball that landed in the safe hands of Steve Smith in the same over.

New Zealand batters treated Josh Hazelwood with respect, collecting just 16 runs, but Starc with sheer contempt, collecting 60 runs off his four overs which included nine boundaries and a six.