Marsh powers Australia to T20 World Cup title

Mitchell Marsh smashed an unbeaten 77 as Australia hammered New Zealand by eight wickets to clinch their maiden Twenty20 World Cup title on Sunday with captain Aaron Finch describing the achievement as “huge,” AFP reported.

Chasing 173 for victory, Australia depended on a 92-run second-wicket stand between David Warner, who made 53, and Marsh to achieve their target with seven balls to spare in Dubai.

Warner became Trent Boult’s second wicket but Marsh kept up the charge to power Australia home to their long-awaited T20 crown and add to their five 50-over World Cup trophies.

Glenn Maxwell, who made 28, joined Marsh, who hit six fours and four sixes in his 50-ball knock, to put on 66 runs and hit the winning boundary.

“This is huge, to be the first Australian team to do it. I am so proud of how the guys went about the campaign,” said Finch.

Wicketkeeper Matthew Wade said victory showed why Australia should not be under-estimated.

“We felt like a lot of people wrote us off but we spoke about being the first team to do this for Australia and it feels really special,” he said.

Skipper Kane Williamson hit a valiant 85 in New Zealand’s 172-4 after being invited to bat first in a crucial toss won by Finch.