DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Mitchell Marsh and David Warner plundered half centuries as Australia won its first Twenty20 cricket World Cup with an eight-wicket victory over New Zealand in Sunday’s final.
New Zealand lost the all-important toss, was sent in to bat and posted 172-4.
Skipper Kane Williamson, dropped on 21, led the way by scoring 85 off 48 balls, but his lineup was pegged back by Australian paceman Josh Hazlewood, who returned impressive figures of 3-16.
Marsh, who belted fast bowler Adam Milne for six off the first delivery he faced when he went to the crease with Australia at 15-1, finished unbeaten on 77 off 50 balls. He shared a 92-run second-wicket partnership with Warner, who scored 53 off 38, to help Australia reach 173-2 with seven balls to spare. The victory also ensured Australia kept intact its unbeaten record against the Black Caps in knockout games since 1981.
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Australia, a five-time winner of the 50-over World Cup, was in poor form in the T20 format leading into the tournament and Warner was struggling to get game time in the Indian Premier League.
The form turned around quickly when it counted, with Australia winning all but one game and Warner winning the award for player of the series.
“This is huge, to be the first Australia team to do it, so proud of how the guys went about the campaign,” Australia captain Aaron Finch said. “Can’t believe people wrote (Warner) off a couple of weeks ago, it was almost like poking the bear.”
After setting up Australia’s run chase with Warner, Marsh continued with Glenn Maxwell (28 not out) in an unbroken 66-run stand.
Earlier, Hazlewood got the key wicket of in-form Daryl Mitchell (11) with a brilliant slower ball in an impressive three-over spell during the powerplay as the Black Caps crawled to 57-1 by the halfway stage of their innings.
But Williamson, dropped by Hazlewood at fine leg, cut loose against Australia’s fastest bowler Mitchell Starc, who returned…
Source : time
