Sports Reporter :
Australia clinched the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup title for the first time after defeating New Zealand by eight wickets in their final match at Dubai International Stadium in the United Arab Emirates on Sunday.
Sent into bat first, New Zealand piled up a fighting total of 172 for the loss of four wickets in the allotted 20 overs.
In return, Australia sailed home making 173 for the loss of two wickets when they had seven balls to spare.
Australia faced an early debacle as opener Aaaron Finch (5) was caught at the deep mid-wicket by Daryl Mitchell off Trent Boult when the Aussies score was just 15.
Opener David Warner and one-down Mitchell Marsh rescued their team from disaster contributing together 92 runs for the second wicket partnership before Warner was cleanly bowled out by Trent Boult when the Aussies total was 107 for the loss of two wickets.
Warner struck a windy 53. His 38-ball innings saw three sixes and four fours.
After Warner’s removal, Mitchell Marsh and Glenn Maxwell powered their team to overhaul the winning target. They put on together 66 runs for the unbroken third wicket partnership.
Mitchell Marsh remained unbeaten with 77 runs. He hit four sixes and six fours in his 50-ball innings. Mitchell Marsh was adjudged the Man of the Match and David Warner was adjudged the Man of the Tournament.
Glenn Maxwell remained unbeaten with 28 runs. His 18-ball innings saw four fours and a sixer.
Trent Boult bagged two wickets at the cost of 18 runs.
Earlier, New Zealand had a modest start as the opener Daryl Mitchell ( 11) was caught behind by Mathew Wade off Josh Hazlewood when the Kiwis score was 28.
After Mitchell’s departure, Martin Guptill and Kane Williamson repaired the damage contributing together 54 runs for the second wicket partnership before Guptill (28) was caught at the deep mid-wicket by Marcus Stoinis off Adam Zampa when the Black Caps’ total was 76 for the loss of two wickets.
Guptill made 28 from 35 deliveries featuring three fours.
After Guptill’s dismissal, Kane Williamson and Glenn Phillips built another notable partnership. They put on together 68 runs in the third wicket stand before Glenn was caught at the mid-wicket by Glenn Maxwell off Hazlewood when the Kiwis score was 144 for the loss of three wickets.
After Glenn’s departure, Kane could stay at the crease for a short period as he was caught at the long-off by Steven Smith off Hazlewood when 148 for the loss of four wickets.
Williamson stuck a terrific 85. His 48-ball innings was ornamented with 10 fours and three sixes.
Glenn Phillips scored 18 from 17 balls including one four and one six.
James Neesham remained unbeaten with 13 runs. He struck one six in his seven-ball knock.
Tim Seifert remained unbeaten with eight runs.
Josh Hazlewwod grabbed three wickets at the cost of 16 runs.
Adam Zampa took one wicket for 26 runs.
