NZ vs AUS, T20 World Cup Final: David Warner, Mitchell Marsh guide Australia to maiden title

Australia beat New Zealand by eight wickets to clinch their maiden ICC Men's T20 World Cup title in Dubai on Sunday (14 November). David Warner, Mitchell Marsh turned out to be heroes for Australia, striking fifties in the summit clash to guide their team home.

Chasing the 173-run target, Australia lost their captain Aaron Finch early but Warner and Marsh ensured there were no hiccups in the chase. They shone bright for their team, smashing fifties to take Aussies past the winning target with eight wickets and seven balls in hand.

Australia are the _______ of the #T20WorldCup 2021 _#T20WorldCupFinal | #NZvAUS | https://t.co/1HyoPN4N0d pic.twitter.com/8RkyPDkYvv— T20 World Cup (@T20WorldCup) November 14, 2021

Marsh, who was promoted to No 3 in this World Cup, will forever remember this 50-ball 77 that took his side to their maiden World Cup title. 

Warner took a special liking to Kiwi spinners Ish Sodhi and Mitchell Santner, and the left-handed batter brought up his half-century in the 11th over of the innings. 

However, the introduction of Trent Boult paid dividend straight away as he clean bowled Warner (53) in the 13th over, reducing Australia to 107/2.

The winning moment! _

Shot, @Gmaxi_32 _pic.twitter.com/TnBQqg5y8q— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) November 14, 2021

Marsh continued with his carnage and he smashed Ish Sodhi for 16 runs in the 14th over, bringing up his half-century and Australia needed just 48 runs to win from six overs. 

In the end, Marsh and Glenn Maxwell (28*) guided Australia home by eight wickets.

Earlier, thanks to a superb 85 by their captain Kane Williamson, New Zealand posted 172/4 in their 20 overs. Josh Hazlewood was the pick of the bowlers for Australia as he picked up three wickets for just 16 runs. 

Asked to bat first, New Zealand openers Martin Guptill and Daryl Mitchell put on 28 runs for the first wicket, however, this partnership was broken by Josh Hazlewood in the fourth over as he sent Mitchell (11) back to the pavilion. 

After the end of the powerplay, New Zealand`s score read 32/1.Kane Williamson and Guptill found the going tough as Australia bowlers managed to maintain a stranglehold over them in the middle overs. 

However, in the 11th over, Williamson changed the tempo of the innings as he smashed Mitchell Starc for 19 runs. But in the very next over, Adam Zampa dismissed Guptill (28), reducing New Zealand to 76/2.

Williamson smashed two back-to-back sixes off Glenn Maxwell and he brought up his half-century in the 13th over of the innings. 

The Kiwi skipper decided to go after Starc and in the 16th over bowled by the left-arm seamer, Williamson managed to score 22 runs, and New Zealand was looking in firm control at 136/2. 

Glenn Phillips departed after playing a 16-run knock and in the same over, Hazlewood dismissed Williamson (85), pegging New Zealand back. 

In the final two overs, the Kiwis managed to add 23 more runs, taking the score past the 170-run mark.

This is Australia's sixth World Cup, five of them being the ODI World Cup triumphs. Their first World Cup win came back in 1987 and since then they have five times - 1999, 2003, 2007, 2015 and now in 2021 (T20 World Cup).  With inputs frpm ANI