(Cricket news) Australia maintained their 100% record over the Kiwis in ICC knockout games, defeating their neighbours by eight wickets to secure their first T20 World Cup title in Dubai. The Black Caps scored a reasonably impressive 172-4 in 20 overs with Kane Williamson scoring 85 runs from 48 balls but it was not enough as Australia will go into the next T20 World Cup as the reigning champions and hosts.
New Zealand got off to a slow start, scoring 57-1 in 10 overs and just 32-1 in the powerplay, with Kane Williamson (85 runs off 28) being dropped at 21 by Josh Hazlewood (3-16). However, the 31 year old put up an impressive performance, scoring 10 fours and three sixes in his innings but the trend of the side batting second emerging as victors continued in Dubai for the 10th consecutive time in 10 games with the likes of Marsh (77* runs off 50), Warner (53 off 38) and Glenn Maxwell (28* runs off 18) playing a crucial role in winning the finals.
It was Hazelwood who eventually took the wicket of Williamson who was caught at long-off by Steve Smith in the 18th over, ending the 31 year old’s partnership with Glenn Phillips (18 runs off 17); the pair had mustered 68 runs from 37 balls between them. James Neesham (13 runs off 7) and Tim Seifert (8* runs off 6) both managed to score a boundary as New Zealand finished with a score of 172-4.
The Kiwi’s then started their defense brightly, taking the wicket of captain Aaron Finch (5 runs off 7) after he was caught at midwicket by Daryl Mitchell off Trent Boult’s (2-18) delivery. However, David Warner (53 runs off 38) and Mitchell Marsh (77* runs off 50) put up a partnership of 92 runs from 69 balls which proved to be the turning point in Australia’s innings. Adam Milne conceded 15 runs in the fourth over with Marsh hitting two fours and a six, the likes of Ish Sodhi (0-40) and Neesham (0-15) also proved to be expensive.
David Warner was bowled out by Trent Boult, giving some hope to New Zealand but it was short lived as Glenn Maxwell (28* runs off 18) entered the fray to score boundaries off Milne (0-40) and Tim Southee’s (0-43) deliveries to ensure his partnership with Marsh of 66 runs from 39 balls was enough to guide Australia to victory in 18.5 overs.
Also read: Writing Warner off was like poking a bear: Aaron Finch after World Cup triumph
