New Zealand vs Australia, Final - Live Cricket Score, Commentary

Series: ICC Mens T20 World Cup 2021 Venue: Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai Date & Time: Nov 14, 06:00 PM LOCAL

Australia become first-time T20 World Champions © AFP

AUSTRALIA ARE WORLD CHAMPIONS

What a night for Australia! The one trophy that's eluded them for so long has been bagged in some style. They started the tournament in the Group of Death without any expectations pinned on them of even making the last-four. More so, since being humbled by England. BUt they've bounced back, and how! One incredible heist in the semifinal and a thorougly dominant batting performance in the final later, Australia get their name etched on that coveted trophy.

And what a night for David Warner. Just a few months ago there were suggestions that his time was up in the game. But he's knocked back those naysayers in true Warner style with two crucial fiery knocks in the semifinal and the final. It's also time to doff your hat to Mitchell Marsh, who has been Australia's T20 constant this year. He's taken the biggest stage and made it his absolute own, finishing with 77 off 50 balls.

Spare a thought for Kane Williamson who did so well to drag his team to 172/4 but his bowlers couldn't quite turn up like he did o

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TOSS: Australia opt to bowl (and move closer to that elusive title?). They're unchanged. One forced change for New Zealand - Tim Seifert in for the injured Devon Conway.

Line-ups:

Australia:David Warner, Aaron Finch (c), Steve Smith, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood

New Zealand:Martin Guptill, Daryl Mitchell, Kane Williamson(c), Tim Seifert(w), Glenn Phillips, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner, Adam Milne, Tim Southee, Ish Sodhi, Trent Boult

Stats that matter, via Deepu:

- Kane Williamson has a poor record vs Australia in T20Is - 124 runs in 9 innings at an average of 13.78 and a SR of 104.20. In those 9 innings, there are six single-digit returns for the Kiwi skipper

- The PowerPlay battle: Australia have picked 11 wickets and conceded runs at an ER of 7.72. New Zealand have picked 8 in this phase, but are the only side to have a sub-six ER (5.89).

- David Warner vs spin at the T20 WC: 116 Runs | 74 balls | 1 dismissal

- The middle-overs duel: Adam Zampa has 12 wickets in 21 overs in this phase; Ish Sodhi has 8 in 16.

Before the game begins, here's some essential reading to whet your appetite...

- Pratyush and Bharat set up the game of the two unlikely finalists and one maiden crown

- Deepu Narayanan delves into the numbers and strategies to figure out where this game will be won and lost

- Bharat on Daryll Mitchell, Marcus Stoinis, and the perth connection.

- Pratyush on what's on Kane Williamson's agenda for the big clash

The last time New Zealand won an ICC trophy (Just a few months ago)...

@H0$

No India. No Pakistan. No England... but no problem. We're a few hours away from a first time T20 World Cup winner. That's right. Australia and New Zealand, two sides yet to get their hands on the T20 World Cup trophy in its brief history have - somehow - found their way to the summit clash.

New Zealand dumped out pre-tournament favourites England and Australia got the better of the best side in the Super 12s Pakistan to get there so you can say we're in for a great Sunday evening. Oh and also, there's history and rivalry between these two sides.

Australia and T20 cricket has often looked like a mismatch. This is a bunch that has hardly played the format together, and even when they did, they've not looked very good. But that Marcus Stoinis-Matthew Wade effort in the semis was exceptional, and adds so much to the tournament narrative. The T20 World Cup is the one trophy that's not made its way to Australia's overstuffed trophy cabinet. Tonight, maybe?

New Zealand's achievement was phenomenal too. The win over England was very similar to Australia's, except their makeshift opener Daryll Mitchell led the way instead of the finishers. They've been one of the most cohesive sides in the tournament, and could now walk away with their second ICC title in the space of four months.