‘Absolute pasting’: World reacts as Australia wins T20 World Cup

Aaron Finch’s talented Australian outfit has defied the odds to become T20 world champions, a feat that’s been 14 years in the making.

Mitch Marsh led the Aussies to a drought-breaking T20 World Cup win. Pictures: Getty

The one trophy that has repeatedly eluded the Australians is finally in their possession.

Australia has secured its maiden T20 World Cup title after defeating New Zealand by eight wickets at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Monday morning AEDT.

David Warner and Mitchell Marsh scored half centuries in the run chase as Australia reached the 173-run target with seven balls to spare.

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Earlier, Josh Hazlewood claimed three wickets as Black Caps captain Kane Williamson smacked the highest individual score in a T20 World Cup final — 85 off 48 balls.

Mitchell Starc meanwhile conceded 60 runs in his wicketless four-over spell, making it statistically the worst bowling performance by an Australian in a T20 international.

But Marsh was named Player of the Match for his heroics in the run chase, finishing unbeaten on 77 to guide the Australians to victory.

Make some noise if you're the #T20WorldCup champions! pic.twitter.com/PmWaPvKfqW

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) November 14, 2021

“This innings alone is the making of him,” former Australian all-rounder Shane Watson said of Marsh from the commentary box.

“Because of his injuries he hasn’t had a consistent run all the time. But people didn’t really understand the true skill Mitch Marsh has got.

“Now they will certainly know — under pressure to be able to perform the way that he has.”

World champions. (Photo by Alex Davidson/Getty Images)

The bison roars. (Photo by INDRANIL MUKHERJEE / AFP)

Glenn Maxwell embraces Mitch Marsh. (Photo by Aamir QURESHI / AFP)

Australia was ranked No. 7 on the ICC T20 Rankings leading into the tournament, having lost their most recent bilateral series against Bangladesh.

But Aaron Finch’s men defied the odds, overcoming a horror loss against England 15 days ago to become world champions.

It’s a heartbreaking outcome for New Zealand, who suffer yet another defeat in an ICC tournament final.

The Blacks Caps were embarrassed by Australia in the 2015 World Cup final, and infamously lost in a Super Over against England four years later.

But Williamson and his teammates will hopefully take comfort knowing they only have to wait 12 months for another shot at the coveted title.

“We made every effort to get a good total. We weren’t far away but having said that, credit to the way Australia chased that total,” Williamson said.

“They did not give us an inch.”

‘Absolute pasting’: Cricket world reacts to Aussie triumph

Indian broadcaster Harsha Bhogle tweeted: “Australia just too powerful. What a player Mitch Marsh has become. Hopefully his body becomes a partner in his future because he is too good to be playing as little he has. Brilliant today.”

Former England captain Michael Vaughan posted: “This is some World Cup win for the Aussies … From the defeat to England they have been so powerful … Mitch Marsh is one of the great guys so he deserves this … he will probably now have a big affect on the Ashes as well … Well done Australia!”

Australian legend Shane Warne tweeted: “Congratulations to both teams on a terrific #ICCT20WorldCup final and tournament! In the end the Aussies peaked at the right time & just had to many match winners for NZ. Congrats to Aaron Finch & all the Aussie boys! Very happy for M Marsh too – Great stuff.”

Indian great VVS Laxman posted: “Tremendous final, some terrific batting! Williamson played one of the all-time classics, but Warner and Marsh were just unstoppable! Congratulations to Australia on their maiden triumph, New Zealand have nothing to be ashamed of.”

Former Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar tweeted: “Australia was ruthless, clinical and just perfect today. NZ didn’t even come close. Kangaroos all the way! Congratulations.”

World Champions eh. Sweet. 🇦🇺

— Adam Gilchrist (@gilly381) November 14, 2021

Blimey, that was brutal. Outstanding from Australia. NZ played T20 for the last 30 overs of that match. Australia played T20 from the outset. These are the ‘fine margins’ or 25 per cents, that make the difference. #T20WorldCupFinal

— daniel norcross (@norcrosscricket) November 14, 2021

Former Australian paceman Dirk Nannes said on BBC television: “They have bobbled together the squad and had barely played any cricket together. They started quite poorly but found a way to win and then came to form in the final couple of games. It has been a remarkable turnaround and a great team effort.

“It was a drubbing in the end today. It is taking a little bit away from New Zealand because they have been exceptional throughout (the tournament)/”

England great Phil Tufnell continued: “Well played, Australia. They have done it at an absolute breeze. That is a celebration of a team that are a bit annoyed that they were written off. There were some clenched fists and ‘come on’ there.”

BBC commentator Isa Guha said: “You would say that is an absolute pasting. Australia cruised there.”

New Zealand’s innings: As it happened

Australia would have felt quietly confident after winning the toss and electing to field first — 11 of the 12 matches played at Dubai International Cricket Stadium in the tournament had been won by the team chasing.

There was no swing on offer for Australia’s quicks during the Powerplay, and New Zealand’s openers took advantage by cracking 23 runs from the first three overs.

Australian wicketkeeper Matthew Wade put down a tough chance in the third over off Glenn Maxwell’s bowling, gifting the dangerous Martin Guptill an extra life on 10.

Josh Hazlewood provided the first breakthrough for Australia in the fourth over, removing Daryl Mitchell with a well-executed slower ball that caught the outside edge.

Soon after, the Kiwis registered their lowest Powerplay score of the tournament, mustering just 32 runs in the opening six overs.

The New Zealanders stomped on the brakes after Mitchell’s dismissal, scoring just 14 runs from the following 29 deliveries.

This is shocking, so many dot balls
New Zealand playing world cup final or practice match? Very very poor#NZvsAUS#NZvsAUS#AusVsNZ#AusVNZ#T20WorldCup#T20WorldCupFinal

— Sushant Mehta (@SushantNMehta) November 14, 2021

But skipper Kane Williamson broke the shackles in the ninth over, cracking back-to-back boundaries off all-rounder Mitchell Starc.

Australian spinner Adam Zampa continued his stellar form with the ball, conceding just nine runs from his opening two overs.

Momentum briefly shifted back in New Zealand’s favour in the 11th over when Hazlewood put down a regulation catch at fine leg off Mitchell Starc’s bowling that would have removed Williamson.

The Kiwi star rubbed salt into the wounds by slapping the next two deliveries to the boundary, with Starc’s over leaking a total of 19 runs.

But as he so often does, Zampa snared a breakthrough just when the Aussies desperately needed one, with Guptill making his way back to the pavilion for 28.

Williamson brought up his half-century with back-to-back sixes off Maxwell, reaching the milestone in 32 deliveries.

The New Zealand captain struck five boundaries off Starc in the 16th over, making it the most expensive over in a T20 World Cup final.

Kane Williamson was phenomenal with the bat. Photo by Alex Davidson/Getty Images

Hazlewood registered his second wicket of the night in the 18th over, removing Glenn Phillips caught on the boundary for 18.

The Bendemeer Bullet also ended Williamson’s brutal onslaught soon after, dismissing the Kiwi skipper in similar fashion for 85.

A late cameo from all-rounder Jimmy Neesham steered New Zealand to 4/172 — the largest team total in a T20 World Cup final.

Australia’s run chase: As it happened

The run chase started poorly for Australia, with skipper Aaron Finch dismissed by Trent Boult for five in the third over, caught a deep mid-wicket.

But Australian No. 3 Mitchell Marsh got his innings off to a flyer, hitting his first ball for six before sending the next two for four to begin with three consecutive boundaries.

The New Zealanders would have started feeling on edge when Marsh and David Warner brought up their 50-run partnership in just 35 balls.

Australia found themselves 1/82 after 10 overs — 25 runs ahead of where the Kiwis were at that stage.

Warner brought up his third half-century of the tournament in just 34 balls, reaching the milestone with a thunderous six over the mid-wicket boundary.

But just as it looked as though Australia were charging towards a comfortable victory, Boult rattled the left-hander’s stumps to send him packing for 53.

It ended up being a blip as Marsh soon reached his 50 as well, passing the minor milestone in just 31 deliveries.

What about the energy Mitch Marsh injected into the #Aus innings. Huge in a run chase like this… Zero hesitation to take the game on. #T20WorldCup#NZvAUS

— Callum Ferguson (@calferguson12) November 14, 2021

The departure of Warner brought Glenn Maxwell to the middle, and the “Big Show” quickly asserted his authority with back-to-back boundaries.

Marsh and Maxwell soon started finding the boundary with ease as Australia’s required run rate dropped below six.

And then in the penultimate over, Maxwell scored the winning runs with a reverse sweep as his Australian teammates sprinted onto the field.