DUBAI : The Final – Marsh and Maxwell stood unbeaten to shatter the Kiwi dream and see Australia to a historical win, winning their first T20 world title beating the Kiwis comprehensively by 8 wickets. Maxwell hit a boundary to Tim Southee to win in style and allow Australia to score 173 runs which is the highest ever total in a Men’s T20 World Cup Final. It was an emotional win for Australia, being the five times limited overs ( 50-over) World Cup champions, but being ranked sixth in ICC T20I rankings and today winning the the T20 World Cup for the very first time.
Earlier, Australian Finch won the toss and put New Zealand to bat first. Kane Williamson may have lost the toss but the Kiwi skipper turned on his best performance with a stunning knock of 85 runs off 48 balls, to equal the record for the highest individual score in a T20 World Cup Final. Williamson also recorded the highest score by a captain in a men’s final with his knock improving from the previous record by Sri Lankan Kumar Sangakkara ( 64*) against Pakistan in 2009.
Williamson knock contributed to the Kiwi score of 172 for 4 wickets off 20 overs.
Josh Hazlewood was the pick of the bowlers with 3 wickets for just 16 runs. He picked up the important wickets of Daryl Mitchell, Williamson and Glenn Phillips.
Australian bowler Mitchell Starc conceded 60 in his 4 overs, the most by any bowler at a World Cup.
Australia chasing the formidable score lost Skipper Finch in the 2nd over to Kiwi pacer Boult. Warner and Marsh put up a ruthless partnership of 92 runs hopping all over the Kiwi bowlers. Warner scored 53 off 38 balls before being picked up by Boult again. However the damage was done by then and the Kangaroo’s looked on course for their first T20 World Champion title. Mitchell Marsh continued the onslaught with Maxwell with both together navigating to a historic win. Australia needed only 14 runs in the 17th over with 8 wickets in hand. Marsh (77* off 50 balls) and Maxwell (28* off 18 balls) stood unbeaten to Australia win their first T20 world title. Australia won by 8 wickets with one over to spare. (RZ)
[Image credit icc-cricket.com]
