THERE'S A NEW CHAMP IN TOWN

Rejuvenated Aussie Side – Sporting, Smiling, Solid – Comes Together To Blitz NZ For Title

- Partha.Bhaduri

In the end, on the final night, the predicted edge to the trans-Tasman rivalry went absent without leave.

Australia’s top order was so clinical with the bat, so absolutely thorough in their approach, so vicious on anything slightly awry from the New Zealand bowlers, so ruthless in a chase of 173, that it feels almost strange to introduce them as the new T20 World Cup champions.

This honour should have come a long time back, especially with Australia’s impressive pedigree in tournament play, the personnel at their disposal and the nerveless ability to turn the aggressive pursuit of victory into a fine art.

That, of course, and the presence of a certain David Warner (53 of 38 balls; 4x4, 3x6). Written off for his lack of runs, looking undercooked for much of the year, dropped by the IPL team he was captain of, ridiculed for the team management’s persistence in him, Warner stood tall when it mattered most and repaid the faith.

In typical fashion, Warner was all business, setting the tone by smothering and bludgeoning the New Zealand bowlers into quick submission in a tall chase. Warner’s assured presence allowed the ever-evolving Mitchell Marsh, the man of the moment (77 not out from 50 balls; 6x4, 4x6) to carry Australia to victory on his shoulders.

When the moment came, Warner hugged Smith in the balcony before rushing out to embrace a wide-eyed Marsh, who had moments before sprinted and fallen to his knees in frenzied celebration, disbelief on his face and euphoric smile on his lips.