T20 World Cup 2021: The final, Australia vs New Zealand – Who Said What

Australia reigned supreme in the T20 World Cup, defeating New Zealand in the titular battle to secure their maiden title in the shortest format. Australia entered with a muddled record in the tournament, having lost each one of their five bilateral assignments preceding the tournament, but come to the big tournament, they quietened their detractors to first make a way in the semi-finals, where they thrillingly defeated Pakistan, and followed that with an emphatic victory by eight wickets in the decisive game in Dubai.

It was once again the chasing team that ended on the right side, even as Kane Williamson’s staggering 85-run knock with 10 fours and a six propelled New Zealand to what looked like a winning total at the halfway mark. Williamson was reprieved on 21 when Josh Hazlewood grassed him off Mitchell Starc, and he made Australia pay aplenty.

While Hazlewood redeemed himself, claiming exceptional figures of 3/16, his drop made Starc’s outing rather pale who leaked 60 in his quota, and was denied a wicket the only time he managed to create a chance. Barring Williamson, none other batter managed to leave much impression, with Martin Guptill falling for an uncharacteristic 35-ball 28 to Adam Zampa (1/26), while Glenn Phillips and Daryl Mitchell both fell cheaply to Hazlewood.

Chasing 173 in the big match, Australia hardly broke sweat as David Warner and Mitchell Marsh made hay in the middle after Aaron Finch was sent back by Trent Boult for 5 inside the powerplay. Warner notched up his third half-century in the tournament, attacking both pacers and spinners. Ish Sodhi, so effective before the fixture tonight, was far from his best, as he leaked 40 runs in a wicketless three-over spell.

Warner was cleaned up by Boult for 53, by when he had already added 92 for the second wicket alongside Marsh, who stood unbeaten on 77 off merely 50, including six fours and four sixes. Glenn Maxwell joined along, taking Australia to glory with an 18-ball 28.

Winning skipper Aaron Finch:

This is huge. To be the first Australian team to be able to do it. So proud. We knew our backs were against the wall. We had some great individual performances, some great team performances. Can’t believe people wrote him off saying he was done (Warner). That’s when he plays his best cricket. Was almost like poking the bear. The player of the tournament for me (Zampa). Mitch Marsh – what a way to start his innings today. Wade coming into this game with an injury cloud but got a job done. Stoinis did the business.

Losing skipper Kane Williamson:

We were trying to get a platform and the surface was holding a fraction. But typical to here in Dubai. It was nice to build some partnerships and get what we thought was a competitive total. Only to be chased superbly by Australia. They’re a fantastic side. We certainly made every effort. Guys came out and committed to their plans. They didn’t give an inch really. Really proud of our team’s efforts throughout. Came here in the final and gave it our best shot but it wasn’t enough. Conditions varied a lot from venue to venue but we adjusted well. Nice to get to the big dance. Credit to Australia. Today they really turned it on. High hopes coming into this game. Never nice. Winning and losing are two possible outcomes.

Player of the Match Mitchell Marsh:

Lot of people say this but I really don’t have words right now. An amazing six weeks with this group. Coaching staff came up to me in the West Indies and said you’ll bat three for this tournament/series. Absolutely jumped at the idea of that. Done a little bit of that for the Scorchers. I must thank everyone in the supportstaff for backing me. Not a whole lot of thinking that goes into that (first ball for six). Just wanted to go out there and have a presence. Big Marcus Stoinis always talks about having a presence.

Player of the Tournament David Warner:

Always felt really well. Didn’t get much time in the middle in the two practice matches obviously. But for me it was about going back to basics. Going to hard, synthetic wickets and try to hit some balls. Definitely up there with 2015. Being part of the World Cup final against England a decade ago definitely hurt. These guys are a great bunch of guys. Great support staff, great team, great support back home. Just wanted to put on a great spectacle for everyone. Bit of nerves around with a good score on the board. Just great to see the guys deliver.

Australia coach Justin Langer:

Everyone that wins a World Cup says it’s hard to process, it’s hard to put in words, but this is such a wonderful group of people. Every coach and every captain says the same but we have got some amazing cricketers here. We haven’t had a chance to play together for different reasons for the last 12 months. When we all got back together, it was almost like a reunion. There are so many close relationships there, a very special moment for everyone. We knew when we came together how much talent we had. There’s enormous talent in the team. When we were in the West Indies and Bangladesh, there were a few missing pieces, Mitch Marsh took one of those pieces and he’s been brilliant. We also embraced fun. In these situations, when everyone’s talking about bubble, these guys have had so much fun on and off the ground. In this form of game, you actually it’s important to have fun and enjoy, the guys have done that. I think that was a really important part of the success here. Zamps (Adam Zampa) puts a smile on my face everytime because he’s a little bit different and he’s a little bit hippie but he’s so competitive, he’s been so good in this form of the game. We see leg-spinners having an impact around the world and he’s doing that for Australia. Josh Hazlewood – he didn’t play the last one-day WC because he had some back issues. He’s been sublime here, it’s been a great team effort.