Australia beat New Zealand to win first T20 World Cup title

In the summit clash, Australia chased down a target of 173 runs to beat New Zealand by eight wickets with seven balls to spare.

Chasing 173, Australia had a poor start as the team lost their captain Aaron Finch (5) in the third over of the innings as he was sent back to the pavilion by Trent Boult. Mitchell Marsh joined David Warner in the middle and the duo took the team’s score to 43/1 after the end of the powerplay.

Warner made a special liking to Kiwi spinners Ish Sodhi and Mitchell Santner and the left-handed batsman completed his half-century in the 11th over of the innings. However, Trent Boult’s start immediately paid dividends as he clean bowled Warner (53) in the 13th over to reduce Australia to 107/2.

Marsh continued with his carnage and he dismissed Ish Sodhi for 16 in the 14th over to complete his half-century and Australia needed just 48 runs to win in six overs. In the end, Marsh and Glenn Maxwell (28*) took Australia to an eight-wicket win.

Earlier, Kane Williamson played a brilliant innings of 85 runs as New Zealand posted a score of 172/4 against Australia. In the fourth over, Hazlewood sent Mitchell (11) back to the pavilion. At the end of the powerplay, New Zealand’s score read 32/1.

Kane Williamson and Guptill were finding it difficult as Australia’s bowlers managed to hold on to them in the middle overs. However, in the 11th over, Williamson changed the pace of the innings by dismissing Mitchell Starc for 19. But in the very next over, Adam Zampa dismissed Guptill (28) to bowl New Zealand out for 76/2.

Williamson hit two consecutive sixes off Glenn Maxwell as he completed 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 a left-arm seamer, Williamson managed to score 22, and New Zealand looked to be in strong control at 136/2. Glenn Phillips was dismissed after scoring 16 runs and in the same over, Hazlewood dismissed Williamson (85), leaving New Zealand behind. The Kiwis managed to add 23 runs in the last two overs, taking the score past 170 runs.

Brief scores: New Zealand 172/4 (Kane Williamson 85, Martin Guptill 28; Josh Hazlewood 3-16) vs Australia 173/2 (Mitchell Marsh 77*, David Warner 53; Trent Boult 2-18).