Australia defeated New Zealand in the final of the T20 World Cup 2021 in Dubai to lift their maiden T20I trophy. It was a clinical performance from Aaron Finch and co as they dominated the Kiwis despite a brilliant batting performance from skipper Kane Williamson.
Finch had won the toss and chose to bowl first. Kane Williamson made 85 in 48 balls with 10 fours and 3 sixes and with help of Martin Guptill (28) and Glenn Phillips (18), New Zealand put up 172/4 in 20 overs.
In reply, David Warner slammed 53 in 38 balls, while Mitchell Marsh made 77* in 50 balls with 4 sixes and 6 fours to take Australia past the finishing line with Glenn Maxwell also contributing 28* in 18 balls. Australia won by 8 wickets in a definitive performance with 7 balls to spare.
While Mitchell Marsh won the Player of the Match for his 77*, it was the veteran Australia opener David Warner who was adjudged the Player of the Tournament for his 289 runs in 7 matches with a strike rate of 146.70 and three fifties to his name.
Talking to Harsha Bhogle in the after-match presentation, Warner said, “I always felt good, for me it was about going back to basics, getting on some hard, synthetic wickets in order to hit volumes of balls. Definitely up there with 2015 [World Cup], losing to England a decade ago really hurt. These are a great bunch of guys, great support staff, and great support around the world, especially back home. Always pumped, wanted to put on a spectacle. There were some nerves around as always in a final but great to see the guys deliver."
Australia will now defend their T20 World Cup title in 2022 when they host the tournament in their own backyard.
(Cricbuzz inputs)
