Australia defeated New Zealand by 8 wickets courtesy of brilliant half centuries from David Warner and Mitchell Marsh on Sunday to lift the T20 World Cup title.
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The advantage that teams have had batting second in the T20 World Cup in the UAE is something that the International Cricket Council (ICC) should look into, former India captain Sunil Gavaskar has said. The former batting great has said that the ICC should ensure a level playing field for both teams. Australia defeated New Zealand by 8 wickets in Dubai on Sunday to lift the 2021 T20 World Cup title. The Aussies chased and won the match with seven balls to spare despite having to complete the highest successful run chase in the history of the T20 World Cup final.
Meanwhile Gavaskar pointed out that the dew wasn’t a big factor in the title clash and credited the Australians for how they went about their business.
“The commentators were saying that the dew factor wasn’t there today so I don’t think it really came into play that much in this game but I think it has in the previous games and maybe that is something that needs to be looked at,” Gavaskar told Sports Today.
“But you may also say that if the group matches are played at the same time then why change for the knockouts.”
29 out of 45 matches in the tournament were won by teams batting second which means nearly 65 percent of matches in the T20 World cup were won by the chasing teams. In the final, New Zealand posted a very good total of 172 for the loss of four wickets, which is impressive considering that it was the title clash.
New Zealand captain Kane Williamson led the charge with a brilliant knock of 85 from 48 balls. The 31-year-old batter finished with 10 fours and three maximums to lift New Zealand from 57-1 in 10 overs after being invited to bat first.
However, Australia displayed some powerful batting to achieve the target with ease. Although Aaron Finch was dismissed early for 5 by Trent Boult, David Warner and Mitchell Marsh laid the foundation for the historic win with magnificent half centuries.
Marsh remained unbeaten on 77 from 50 balls that included 6 boundaries and 4 maximum’s. While Warner completed his golden tournament with a 38 ball 53. New Zealand bowlers, who were impressive throughout the tournament, struggled in the final as the Australian batsman didn’t allow them to settle.
Warner and Marsh’s aggressive approach unsettled the New Zealand bowlers’ line and length on the Dubai track. Apart from Trent Boult all other Kiwi bowlers were smashed all over the park.
“I think Mitchell Marsh played an extraordinary innings, David Warner has been playing well for the last few matches. New Zealand would have wanted to get him more than Aaron Finch but they didn’t get him and here we are. They won with six (seven) balls to spare. Maxwell and Marsh at the crease, those balls could have gone for 20 runs as well,” said Gavaskar.
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