How the world reacted to Australia's Men's T20 World Cup victory
The final piece of the jigsaw is in place.
Finally, after 14 years and seven campaigns, Australia's men, under captain Aaron Finch, have claimed the ICC Men's T20 World Cup title.
Set 173 for victory, Australia's top order were electric, up for the fight in an assertive chase oozing confidence and class. Chasing down the target by eight wickets and with seven balls remaining, the world watched on as the team raced onto the ground to join Mitchell Marsh and Glenn Maxwell.
Men's T20 World Champions for the very first time! π#T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/sRlIlGLLeZ
β Cricket Australia (@CricketAus) November 14, 2021
π πͺπ―π¨π΄π·π°πΆπ΅πΊ π #T20WorldCup #T20WorldCupFinal pic.twitter.com/wf0XR0Fu80
β ICC (@ICC) November 14, 2021
Sometimes, the wait makes the victory even more sweeter. π
β DK (@DineshKarthik) November 14, 2021
Congratulations to #Australia for finally winning a #T20WorldCup and they did it in their classic style.
Well deserved π#T20WorldCupFinal pic.twitter.com/WylwwAU8Kb
Together for a month in tough conditions, the squad and support staff were in the dressing room early to soak up the victory after their world-conquering campaign.Β
Winners are grinners! π#T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/4iVueHAg4a
β cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) November 14, 2021
Australia were unfancied by critics and pundits in the lead-up to the tournament, and after five consecutive T20I series defeats in a row, were all but written off to win the tournament.
Commentator Daren Sammy, who lifted the same trophy twice for the West Indies as captain in 2012 and 2016, expressed surprise and congratulations.
Congratulations to Australia on winning the @T20WorldCup I must admit I didnβt see them being the champion team this tournament. But theyβve silently gone under the radar and came up with the goods every time. Well Played Australia ππ½ππ½ππ½ #ICCT20WC
β Daren Sammy (@darensammy88) November 14, 2021
Fellow commentator Pommie Mbangwa showed his amazement after Australia's performance, having watched on from the box during the tournament.
Amazing by the Aussies!! Congratulations @CricketAus ππΎππΎππΎ#T20WorldCupFinal #T20WorldCupChampions
β Mpumelelo Mbangwa (@mmbangwa) November 14, 2021
A number of players from the tournament were quick to praise the Australian group following the successful chase. Leg-spinning superstar Rashid Khan, having played franchise cricket with David Warner and New Zealand captain Kane Williamson, showed his appreciation for both sides. Pakistan's Shoaib Malik, who enjoyed a few moments of his own at the tournament, described Australians as "deserving champions."
Congratulations to @CricketAus on winning another @ICC trophy @T20WorldCup and very well played @BLACKCAPS it was pleasure to watch both Kane Mamaa & Warner Kakaa @davidwarner31 π₯ππ»ππ»
β Rashid Khan (@rashidkhan_19) November 14, 2021
- Congratulations Australia π¦πΊ
β Shoaib Malik π΅π° (@realshoaibmalik) November 14, 2021
Deserving Champions π #Cricket #T20WorldCupFinal
Player of the Match Mitchell Marsh opened his account with a six, supercharging Australia's innings with his early siege on New Zealand's attack. Finishing on 77* from 50 balls, Marsh received a flood of plaudits, including the high praise of Sachin Tendulkar, and former Australian international Trent Copeland, a man who knows of Marsh's toils and sacrifices more than most.
Kane played a special innings to set up the #T20WorldCupFinal perfectly.
β Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) November 14, 2021
However, the partnership between Marsh & Warner sealed the game for the Aussies. The way Marsh began his innings from ball 1 took #NZ completely by surprise.
Congratulations π¦πΊ on winning the @T20WorldCup! pic.twitter.com/10oyyoAeRl
Just. Extraordinary. π€―ππ½@CricketAus π¦πΊ WHAT A WIN!!! π
β Trent Copeland (@copes9) November 14, 2021
So bloody stoked! Congratulations all.
Turns out a few of our best players playing every game (HOFF!!!) & Mitch Marsh in in a role that worked despite some losses is still ELITE, even subcontinent! π #T20WorldCupFinal
On the other side, New Zealand were valiant in defeat. Unable to reel their trans-Tasman rivals in, former Black Cap Grant Elliot expressed his pride in the group.
Bugger! Well played @CricketAus . Marsh and Warner were outstanding as was Kane Williamson. @BLACKCAPS supporters always proud of the way we play the game. Not to be tonight.
β Grant Elliott (@grantelliottnz) November 14, 2021
Australia will have the opportunity to defend their title on home soil in October and November next year.
Β