Australia secure first T20 World Cup

Dubai — Australia clinched their maiden Twenty20 World Cup title after fiery 50s by Mitchell Marsh and David Warner fashioned an eight-wicket victory against New Zealand in Sunday’s final.

New Zealand captain Kane Williamson’s 85 off 48 balls fired his side to a strong 172/4 in a rematch of the final of the 2015 ODI World Cup between the trans-Tasman rivals.

As in that contest in Melbourne four years ago, Australia triumphed again this time with seven balls to spare.

Marsh belted four sixes in his incendiary 77 not out, and Warner smashed 53 to drive Australia’s chase at the Dubai International Stadium.

Reigning world Test champions New Zealand finished runners-up to hosts England in the 2019 ODI World Cup as well.

Earlier, Williamson scored nearly half of New Zealand’s final total which had looked a distant dream for a side on 57/1 at the halfway stage of their innings.

Dropped on 21 by Josh Hazlewood, Williamson clobbered three sixes and 10 boundaries after Australia counterpart Aaron Finch elected to field at a venue which has favoured the chasing team throughout the tournament.

Matthew Wade spilled a bottom-edge from Martin Guptill (28) early though it was not Australia’s costliest mistake as a fielding side.

Wade sort of made amends in the next over when he took a diving catch to send back Daryl Mitchell, the architect of New Zealand’s semifinal victory  against England.

New Zealand were 32/1 after six overs, their lowest powerplay score in the tournament, and endured a 32-ball stretch without a boundary.

It could easily have been worse for them but Hazlewood dropped Williamson, then on a run-a-ball 21, at fine leg.

The batsman plundered 56 runs off the next 21 balls he faced, including back-to-back sixes off Glenn Maxwell en route to a 32-ball half-century.

Williamson milked 22 runs off Mitchell Starc’s third over, hitting the left-arm quick for four fours and a six.

Hazlewood eventually dismissed Williamson in the 18th over but not before the New Zealand skipper had hauled his team near the 150-mark.

With their captain leading by example, New Zealand plundered 115 off the final 10 overs.

Hazlewood claimed 3/16 but that dropped catch nearly overshadowed his excellent display with the ball.

Australia wobbled early in their chase, losing Finch in the third over when Mitchell ran in from deep square and took an excellent sliding catch.

Warner and Marsh, however, refused to retreat into a defensive shell and, with both going great guns, Australia cruised to the 100-mark in the 12th over.

Trent Boult ended the carnage when he rattled Warner’s stumps but Marsh continue to hector the bowlers, bringing up his 50 with his fourth six.

Maxwell chipped in with a cameo unbeaten 28 sealing the victory with a cheeky reverse shot.

Reuters