Test Match Special - Australia claim first World T20 Trophy

Episode Date: November 14, 2021

Isa Guha is joined by T20 World Cup finalist Dirk Nannes, T20 World Cup winner Carlos Brathwaite and former England World Cup spin bowler Phil Tufnell to review Australia’s 8 wicket win over New Zea...land in Dubai. We also hear from Australia captain Aaron Finch, Australia coach Justin Langer, New Zealand captain Kane Williamson, player of the match Mitchell Marsh and player of the tournament David Warner. We also review the tournament as a whole and discuss what the result could mean for the Ashes.

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Starting point is 00:01:35 tournament, but they believed. I'm Isha Guha and welcome to the Test Match special podcast. Looking back on the T20 World Cup final won by Australia by eight wickets over New Zealand. We'll get the thoughts of T20 World Cup winner Carlos Brathwaite, Phil Tufnal and T20 World Cup finalist, Dirk Nanez, and hear plenty of reaction from both sides. 173 was the target for Australia they did it by eight wickets an absolute pasting you would say they cruised to victory in the endirk and what a moment for Aaron Finch and the rest of the team absolutely they've had terrible leading really they've had a splintered squad some players over in the
Starting point is 00:02:29 old summit home, border closures, there's been all sorts of problems with trying to get this squad together. They were written off, they had a horrible year in terms of being on the road in Bangladesh and West Indies and then to cobble together this squad and only come together just before the tournament and hardly having played any cricket to come and start off quite poorly and then find a way to win when they needed to and then come into form in the tournament. the final. A couple of games has been quite a remarkable turnaround. It's been a great team effort. No one contributor necessarily really dominated throughout the tournament. Each did their
Starting point is 00:03:12 bit in parts. The bowling attack were consistent and got them into the final and then Mitch Marsh, Dave Warner and co. got them over the line in the chase. It was, well, really a drubbing in the end in the final, but I think that's probably taking a little bit away from New Zealand. They've been exceptional also throughout the tournament and thoroughly deserved to be there at the end. Can you talk about peaking at the right time? There was that close one at the start against South Africa
Starting point is 00:03:39 where they got over the finish line with two balls to spare Stonyers and Wade finishing things off there and I guess that just gave the top order a little bit more confidence to know that they could take a few more risks in the power play but you've got so much experience there in David Warner who was in fine form getting them off to
Starting point is 00:03:59 brilliant start the likes of marsh who came to the party positioned in at that number three an outstanding match for him and let's not forget adam zampa who'd been incredible throughout the tournament just so consistent picking up wickets as well it's funny they're just listening to dirk there i mean cracker you know you've got stark cummings hazelwood pretty good bowlers those three and then you've got the likes of a sampler zampa as well who could just come in and put that ice in on the cake and even sometimes make more than the difference become a match winner
Starting point is 00:04:31 the bowling unit it was always there yeah I think the bowling unit it was always there but for some reason just not in T20 before and I don't know if the bad results is kind of galvanized
Starting point is 00:04:45 the team and whatnot but you look at that team and if you take any of them names and put it in a franchise auction probably going to be top 1 to 10 for sure to be selected so why when you get them
Starting point is 00:04:59 together people don't rate Australia well got to rate them now world champions only for a year though only for a year and then it's home but then it's home let's get some reaction then Matthew Wade and Marcus Doyner
Starting point is 00:05:13 speaking to Ian Bishop our first T20 World Cup coming in felt like a lot of people maybe wrote us off and didn't expect us to get to this moment but internally we spoke about we could be the first team to achieve this for Australia and something really really special Marcus, what was the key, you think, looking back and reflecting on the start of the tournament?
Starting point is 00:05:33 The key, this group of boys, we absolutely, we actually love each other. It is beautiful, this team. I can't wait to keep playing with this team. I'm so proud of him. You won't find bigger supporters of Mitch Marshall than right here, apart from probably his family. We're so, we are so happy for him. Go back to the semifinal for me, and your innings right here on this ground. How do you reflect on it now?
Starting point is 00:05:57 Yeah, when we sit down and have a few beers tonight, we'll reflect probably closely on that. I think more than my innings, the partnership we spoke about, it means Stony in the rooms when we're chasing just then. We probably didn't realize that we scored as many runs as we did the other night and then coming into this game, we felt really confident that if the boys could get off to a good start, then we could contribute at the end, but thankfully Mitch and, you know, Davey and Maxie at the end there did the job for us. Yeah, as Stoony said, just so proud of this group. Yeah, we're stoked.
Starting point is 00:06:24 Congratulations for you, congratulations to you, and the entire. Adam Zampa now with Ian Bishop and Glenn Maxwell talking gloingly about you what is it that worked for you in this tournament I just tried to use my strengths to the best of my ability on you the wickets were going to be pretty low I bowed at good times we won the toss in bowled first
Starting point is 00:06:44 so it was probably a little bit drier when I was bowling so I tried to use that to the best of my ability try to get wickets when we needed them and try to defend when we need to do that as well Glenn very selfie for you seeing from him your assessment of him and what he's done Well, he's been a superstar in this format as well as one-day cricket for a long period of time. I've had the pleasure of having him at the stars and watching him go about his work for a long time.
Starting point is 00:07:05 So to watch him bring it straight into international cricket like there's absolutely no edges whatsoever. He's fitted in so well. And the last three years as a league's been, I don't think there's many better in the world. For yourself coming off the sort of domestic franchise season right here in the UAE, what was that build up like into this tournament? Yeah, it was perfect. I was able to give myself a few days off before the tournament to really freshen up. And I felt like I was hitting the ball really well.
Starting point is 00:07:30 Luckily enough, I wasn't really required a whole heap. But it was nice to be out there with Bison at the end and get the winning runs. Just a word on the backroom staff who prepare you guys and look after you guys so well, Adam. Yeah, obviously a lot of credit goes to those guys. We've been in bubbles for almost two years now. And that takes a toll on everyone including the staff. So, you know, you wouldn't know with our guys, our preparation. from their side of things has been great
Starting point is 00:07:56 and yeah it's their win as well Justin Langer sometimes last year has been a little bit tough give me an appreciation of this moment for you I suppose everyone who wins a World Cup says it's hard to process it's hard to put it
Starting point is 00:08:14 into words but this is such a special group of people and I know every coach every captain says the same thing but you know we've got some amazing cricketers here we haven't had a chance to play together because different reasons for the last 12 months. So when we all got back together, it was almost like a reunion. And there's so many close relationships there.
Starting point is 00:08:32 It's a very, very special moment for everyone. Not a lot of people from the outside of your circle would have said favourites or the team to win Australia. That doesn't or didn't come easily off the tongue. What do you feel was the key thing throughout the tournament? Well, we knew that when we came back together, how much talent we had, that's for one. I mean, there's enormous talent in this team.
Starting point is 00:08:56 When we're in the West Indies and Bangladesh leading into this series, there's a few missing pieces, and Mitch Marsh took one of those pieces. And he's been brilliant, Bish, so we had some real talent there, and we also embraced fun. You know, in these situations where everyone talks about bubble, these guys have had so much fun on and off the ground. And in this form of the game, actually, in the game of cricket, it's important to have fun and enjoy it, right?
Starting point is 00:09:22 And the guys have done that. done that and I think that was a really important part of our success here. I know there are many people you mentioned, Mitch Marshall, I just want to get two quick thoughts, one of that example and what he's done and Josh Hazelwood. Well Zams puts a smile on my face every time because he's a little bit different, he's a little hippie but he's so competitive and he's been so good in this form of the game. We see leg spinners have an impact around the world and he's doing that for Australia now and Josh Hazelwood well we he didn't play the last world because
Starting point is 00:09:53 Cup, the one day World Cup, because he'd had some issues with his back. He's coming here. He's been sublime. So it's just been a great team effort. Congratulations. Justin, a lot of people very happy for you. Thanks very much. Thank you.
Starting point is 00:10:07 We're just going to pull away from that reaction for now, Australia. Well, they'll be absolutely delighted coming into this tournament, flying under the radar, which you don't often see from an Australian side. But when you look on paper, they have a lot of. of experience there, Phil, and they were able to bring that to the fourth throughout the tournament. But a word on Mitch Marsh in at number three.
Starting point is 00:10:31 David Warner, you kind of expect big things at the top of the order, but he was presented with his opportunity in that slot, and he most certainly delivered. And the type of guy that he is as well, this will be the best moment of his life, won't it? 77 from 50 balls. Yeah.
Starting point is 00:10:47 You always talk about, you know, second string teams going on tours and, you know, everyone wants to have the strongest 11, but actually what Mitch Marsh has done over the course of the Bangladesh tour and the rest in this tour in a team that's been beaten very, very badly to stand up the way that he did, and then when the quote-unquote main 11 comes back, you retain your place. That is what you want players to do when they are selected in these so-called second-string teams. So not only for this triumph, but he would be a shining light for any person going on a tour
Starting point is 00:11:18 in a team who's considered second string. I remember having a chat with him at the end of 2015 beginner 2016 test cricket and I'll just let me just beat the ball like he's so strong so gifted still able to use his wrist
Starting point is 00:11:34 but has very hard hands forget trying to block and not hit short leg make short leg not want to be there because he could potentially get hit from you swinging the back and connecting to your ball that's your strength play your shots and for some reason him actually going up the order as he's
Starting point is 00:11:51 He's accustomed to with Perr's scorchers and Western Australia, more responsibility batting wise. He's showing what I guess all of Western Australia known about him before and what the Australian public weren't able to see at international level. So very chaffed him. He almost hits it as hard as you, Carlos. No, he hit it. He is a lot.
Starting point is 00:12:10 I probably hit a little further. But that boy, that boy plays a straight drive and a pull with thunderous effort. Like, I don't think there are any persons in the world, especially in Australia. and wrestling Australia who would have interacted with Mitch Marsh who could not feel happy for him.
Starting point is 00:12:27 Absolutely. Dirk, the bowlers and how they've kind of rallied, obviously Adam Zampa, the standout. But we heard from Pat Cummins their much improved record in T20 cricket
Starting point is 00:12:37 but also Josh Hazerwood that the benefit of him coming in from the IPL perhaps a year ago wouldn't have been a first name player on the team sheet but Eason has certainly delivered as well.
Starting point is 00:12:49 I absolutely wouldn't have been a first man. player but I think what Australia have done I think New Zealand as well to get into the final I said it earlier today it's the bowling teams that make that get teams into finals and it's the batting teams that tend to win them I think Australia were exceptional in the way they went about and they like we heard in the interview there they just played simple stuff they tried it was almost red ball cricket bowling that they needed to perform here tonight and they did that with a couple of cutters here and there
Starting point is 00:13:22 and they played the conditions exceptionally well. I think the likes of Hazelwood throughout this event and Pat Cummins just so incredibly consistent from someone who tends to bowl some really difficult overs in terms of when he bowls them. He's been exceptional throughout the tournament also. I think the plaudits are going to go to the batters who got them through these last few games
Starting point is 00:13:50 but I think really the bowlers were sort of the engine that got them into this position in the tournament and they can continue to deliver to the end. How much of an input do you think Aaron Finch had in this tournament with the bowlers in this win? I think tactically he's been outstanding. I think also around the group, he's been incredible in giving confidence to players.
Starting point is 00:14:14 He hasn't had a great tournament himself. He's been under the pump. But I think what he's managed to do, is bring a team together that Australia have always had fantastic individual players. Always. But this is the first time that we've really seen that genuine camaraderie between all the players in the team and really playing for each other and it shows. It shows in their enjoyment that they have in other players on the team doing well and as a result it's no real surprise to see them lift the trophy at the end.
Starting point is 00:14:48 I was someone at the start of the tournament who thought there was no chance Australia could win this tournament going on recent form, going on how they played T20s historically. But here they are at the end, they believed they played smart cricket, they played quality cricket throughout, they played in good spirit and thoroughly deserved to be winning the final. Phil, still with us. Were you surprised at how well they cruised to victory in that second innings,
Starting point is 00:15:16 given that the nature of the game 173 the target a little bit more than anyone had had to chase down in previous matches I think it just goes to show as Dirk was saying the confidence the camaraderie they just went out and said
Starting point is 00:15:30 we are winning this I'm not even bothered about chasing runs in the final we're going to go out there stamp our mark on it and we're going to blow this lot away and they proved it I think again listening to Dirk there you know it's an all round team performance and an Australian side that is written off and
Starting point is 00:15:46 Not ridiculed, but like, oh, crikey, they're not going to win it. Have you seen how they've been playing? And then gets together in this bubble life and everything and then brings it together. It can only be a very, very dangerous side. It's as similar as that. Huge individuals there that have all come together. A team performance as well, not just relying on one.
Starting point is 00:16:05 Can I say, Aaron Finch hasn't had a great tournament, but likes of Stoyness getting them over the line. Wade coming in and getting them over the line when needed as well as the guys up front, you know, worn and everything. Same with the ball as well, Maxwell bowling nicely. All these guys, it's been a huge all-round team performance, and that's what's done it for. And they've just built and built confidence-wise and confidence-wise.
Starting point is 00:16:28 Okay, got mulled by England. But that didn't seem to matter. Put that to one side and let's go again. Well, the celebrations will continue long into the night, I'm sure, in Dubai, the bubble has burst over there before they head back over to. well they head back over to Australia and enter into their season and of course the ashes around the corner
Starting point is 00:16:50 we'll talk about New Zealand in just a second but first to Andy with his stats from the final well it's quite hard to quantify the extent to which the Australian team love each other as we've just been hearing from Marcus Stoines but I mean it probably helps but unfortunately I don't have that in my database
Starting point is 00:17:07 whether they love each other more than any other world T20 winning team but they've performed superbly in the in the latter stages. And the tournament rather changed. It had been quite a low-scoring tournament in the Super 12 stage, the overall run rate, just under 7.5 and over.
Starting point is 00:17:22 The semifinals and finals combined 8.8 and over. And we'd seen teams chasing targets of 160 or more struggling earlier on the tournament, won 1 of 12 in the Super 12 stage. But then both semifinals and the final were successful chases over 160. In terms of the individuals, mentioned Trent Bolt during commentary
Starting point is 00:17:43 superb tournament, 13 wickets, the top wicket-taking Seema. Adam Zampa, also 13 wickets, only Hasseranga of Sri Lanka with 16 had more than those two. Zampa, 13 wickets at 12 and just overrunnerboard. If you take out the England game, he averaged 10, 12 for 120 and 24 overs
Starting point is 00:18:01 going at just 5 and over. Economical in both the semi and the final key contributions that might not leap off the scorecard. But amongst many outstanding leg spinners in this tournament, He's been hugely influential. Josh Hazelwood, three for 16, the joint best figures by a Seema in a world T20 final.
Starting point is 00:18:19 And David Warner also outstanding in the last three games for Australia, Mitchell Marsh, since he was put up the order earlier in the year, has scored six half centuries and just 15 innings, having struggled in T20 internationals before when he was batting lower down the order. Kane Williamson's 85, the joint highest in the World Cup final. And an interesting tweet that Crickfiz put up about how the teams went about it. Inside the first 10 overs, New Zealand, 57 for 1, Australia, 82 for 1. In terms of attacking shot percentages, New Zealand, I think only 43%, Australia 63% of the balls in that phase that they attacked, and it made a big difference at the start of the innings.
Starting point is 00:18:59 New Zealand erupted in the second half, but couldn't quite finish off. Those last four overs, Australia only conceded 36, which might not sound hugely economical. but New Zealand only two down after 16 overs but couldn't quite finish off that charge that Kane Williamson had led so brilliantly from the 11th to the 16th over. So it's been a curious tournament and it's ended up with chasing teams dominating
Starting point is 00:19:20 but we've seen, well, three superb chases in the semi-finals and final Australia have won their first World T20. Australia win the toss, win the game. Do you think that will take anything away from their victory in Dubai this evening? No, I think. The Brave Team won and the team that was a bit timid came second.
Starting point is 00:19:42 All those stats put into context what we all saw. New Zealand just looked as though they didn't want to lose. And Australia looked as though they wanted to win with ball in hand and with batting hand. So I think Australia deserving champions and New Zealand, rightfully so, come second. How do you think New Zealand will reflect on the tournament as a whole, Phil? I think they'll reflect with a smile.
Starting point is 00:20:07 on the face, I think they've done themselves proud. Big Miss Conway, wasn't it? Big Miss Conway, that's what they'll be thinking. Why did you punch that bat? That could have been just that little bit more of impetus or someone to stay with, perhaps, a Williamson just to get that little extra 10 or 20 runs. But I think they'll be delighted with the way they performed. They'll be devastated tonight. You know, lose a World Cup final. You know, never much fun. But I think they can look back on the way they play. We know the way they play. He's always wonderfully and with a smile on their face and very respectful, but they'll be kicking themselves. I agree with Carlos.
Starting point is 00:20:41 They're just not quite enough attacking sort of mindset early on, I think. You know, didn't want to lose the game. Australia wanted to win it, beautifully put. That's the sign of a real winner, Carlos. Dirk's still with us, I think. Dirk, your final thoughts on Australia and how this will go down in Australia come the morning. I think Australians will start thinking they've got a decent cricket team again
Starting point is 00:21:11 they've gone through a period there where they've Australian cricket's caught the hammering really they've lost the last test series in Australia they've lost on the road to Bangladesh and West Indies they thought their team was no good and they'll wake up and their team suddenly world champion so I think the public will be absolutely glowing it's a good boost to the start of the summer here
Starting point is 00:21:33 a start of an Ashes summer, which is a really good way to open the door for both ticket sales and for getting eyeballs on TV sets and hopefully cricket bats in hands of young boys and girls. Don't get too confident. I'm not. The Ashes just around the corner, of course. Cannot wait for that.
Starting point is 00:21:58 Carlos, just the tournament as a whole, obviously the defending champions not necessarily coming to the party in this particular tournament the West Indies how do you think they'll be going about their business with only a year to go until the next tournament in Australia
Starting point is 00:22:14 yeah I think the 2016 we are playing go hard and in the power play so a couple of few balls between 7 and 14 and then blast off from 15 to 20 you realise that that's not working bowlers are a lot more clever a lot more tools in the shed and I found on these pitches
Starting point is 00:22:32 which could have been a bit tricky the West Indies struggle to not only score runs in the middle but not lose wickets and whenever it came to the back end they were always a gallop or so too short so you need to go back to your drawing board it would be interesting to see
Starting point is 00:22:46 what kind of team is put out in the lead up to the World Cup because you always get a sense of what the team composition will look like what the plans will look like I can't see probably a lot of changes? I don't think there will be a lot.
Starting point is 00:23:02 Obviously Bravo is done. We don't know if Chris has done yet. But I don't think there will be a lot of changes. I just think that the mentality needs to be adjusted a bit because I look at these games that Weston, he didn't play, and look at how the teams have set up from over 7 to 14. And I'm just telling myself, in any franchise tournament, when the team set up like that and a wrestle to come
Starting point is 00:23:24 or Pollard to come in over 13 or 14 is curtains. But for some reason, we couldn't. as a West Indies unit find a way to get between over seven and 13 still rotating the strike, putting bowlers under pressure, potentially forcing the captain
Starting point is 00:23:40 to bring the strike bowler back and then capitalising in the last six or seven overs. It's amazing to think really how open the tournament was when you look at England and Pakistan who were favourites. India didn't really turn up.
Starting point is 00:23:54 West Indies didn't turn up. Sri Lanka, they were a revelation at the tournament, weren't they when you think of how they've gone about their business in the last 12 months? Well, I'd say I've got probably 80% of my predictions wrong during this one. I fancied a bit of the West Indies like you always do, fancied England and go on, Pakistan, we're looking strong.
Starting point is 00:24:12 And then these two sides have kind of just gone about their business and went under the radar and then produced just when they needed to in those two semi-finals, which is what it's all about, really. Get yourself out of the group, and then it's two games, and then you can be world champions. and they did it perfectly at those two sides. Unlucky in New Zealand, you know, they'll be very disappointed. They keep getting the finals and keep coming up short.
Starting point is 00:24:36 But Australia, you've got to take your hats off to them, haven't you? I mean, how many times do you see them in finals? Just get the performance out of themselves. And Namibia, that was another big story as well, getting through to the Super 12th beating Ireland in Sharjah to get through to that Super 12. Dirk's still with us. Your thoughts on the Associate Nations
Starting point is 00:24:56 and how they're sort of building coming into the tournament? I thought Namibu was fantastic. I loved the cricket being played in Amman as well. It was great to see some cricket actually going to one of the associate countries. Look, I don't think they had as good a tournament as they may have done in terms of upsetting some of the bigger teams across the event. Normally there are a couple of sort of out-of-the-box results. We didn't necessarily see that.
Starting point is 00:25:26 in this tournament but look i think they certainly held their weight i think it's a once again they've shown the value that um putting associate teams in this sort of event can really bring to the game i i think it's a welcome and refreshing uh change for people in countries like ours um in australian england to be able to see that associate cricket is actually alive and well and uh and on the improve would it be nice just to see one of them take the big gun down Yeah, that's one thing that perhaps this did miss Just that really big upset would have been good
Starting point is 00:26:01 Scotland did some good stuff, didn't they? Then just couldn't quite follow it through. In general, do you like the format? What, T20? There's so many of these things. It's hard to keep up, isn't it? I think it's great. Let me tell you about it.
Starting point is 00:26:19 The two groups of six? Yes, I do. It's chipped along at a good rate, hasn't it? I'm not quite sure where it's like to play it because it looks like you're playing a lot of cricket you know, day after day after day. But I think it's been good, yeah, get out your group and then you've got two big games on you
Starting point is 00:26:35 to try and be world champions. Yeah, I just questioning each, I want your opinion. Do you like the one versus two get a second chance or do you like semifinals, your two games away if you lose tough luck? I mean, I do like that in a franchise tournament. I get two bites of the cherry so there's an incentive to finish top of the
Starting point is 00:26:55 top of the group yeah I think it made me question it how this tournament went your two favourites gone out by one bad game but then you started thinking Francis cricket is a lot longer you can find a lot more dead games coming on to the end whereas in the World Cup short and sweet so I think it was actually a nice little plot twist
Starting point is 00:27:14 it was good in the fact that pretty much every game meant something towards you and even South Africa who just missed out by two deliveries. And I think that's the difference kind of franchise. We've got 14 games and it could take a while.
Starting point is 00:27:27 It was bang, bang, bang here. So actually, now I just talk myself into the side of the semi-finals. I'm sure there'll be debates to continue after this in the aftermath of the World Cup. Back to Andy.
Starting point is 00:27:41 Well, I guess a couple of options for changing the format slightly. I'm still a big skeptic of net run rate as a means of dividing teams that end up on the same number of points. I think that the sort of Duckworth Lewis-based kind of run difference that we talked about during one of the games might be a fairer way of doing it.
Starting point is 00:28:01 In terms of the structure, I think there's something to be said for having the winning team in each group going straight into the semi-final and then a playoff between second and third from each group, which is something I think people talked about at the 2011 and 2015-50 overall world cups that might sort of help keep more interest and more teams involved during the group stage.
Starting point is 00:28:20 We've got the presentation coming, bringing up the player of the match, Mitch Marsh. How are you feeling today? Your career has had its ups and downs, but you must be feeling on top of the world. Absolutely. I feel like a lot of people say this, but I don't really have words right now. I mean, what an amazing six weeks with this group of men. Absolutely love and death and well champs. Number three, where did that come from? And you obviously enjoyed yourself. Yeah, coaching staff came up to me in the West Indies about six months ago now and said that you're going to bat three for this tournament or this series and absolutely jumped at the idea of that and I've done it a little bit for the scorches and stuff back home but yeah, I've obviously got all of our staff and everyone involved in the Australian set up for back of me to get me up the top there and I just love playing my role for this team. It's a big match, it's a big final and you hit your first ball for six. Tell us about that. Yeah, I'll be honest with it. There's not a whole lot of things.
Starting point is 00:29:18 thinking that goes into that. Just wanted to get out there and have a presence and Big Marcus Stornis always talks to me about having a presence and getting in the contest and that allows me to go out there and just play my game. So I just can't believe it. It's unbelievable.
Starting point is 00:29:34 Just showed us when your body is your friend, what a great player you can be. Congratulations, Mitch Marsh. Thank you. Cheers. What a player, Mitch Marsh. I'm looking forward to seeing much, much more from this wonderful player. Okay, it's time now for the player of the tournament. A lot of you must be thinking right who's the player of the tournament there were many contenders
Starting point is 00:29:52 but for someone who was consistent all the way through 289 runs at a strike rate of 146.7 give it to david warner come along david come along good to see you david good to see you thank you the build up to this world cup you've had your ups and downs, did you feel at all times completely confident going into this tournament? Yeah, look, I always felt really well. Obviously, two practice matches didn't get much time in the middle, but for me it was about just going back to basics and getting on some hard synthetic wickets to actually train and hit volume as balls.
Starting point is 00:30:34 And I managed to do that, and yeah, got out here and scored some runs. It's a career that's seen a lot of highs. You've had many great tournament wins. Where does this stand for you? This is definitely up there with 2015. being part of the World Cup final against England a decade ago that really hurt but obviously the women won then as well
Starting point is 00:30:52 which was fantastic so we felt a bit of a part of that so you know these guys are absolutely a great bunch of guys and we've got a great support staff, great team and great support around the world and especially at home. About today can you just pretend it's another day or were you pumped up saying I've got to go and deliver on the big day? Yeah look I'm always pumped I know that.
Starting point is 00:31:13 Obviously yeah just we just wanted to put on a you know a great spectacle for everyone here at the venue and obviously everyone back at home and, you know, we were able to deliver it today. There was a little bit of nerves around with a good total on the board, always in the finals, but it was just great to see the guys deliver. David Warner, the enforcer.
Starting point is 00:31:29 Always good to see atop of the order. Well done, May. Thank you very much. Now all came Williamson. I know you're loath to talk about your own performances, but tell us about that innings today. It was like someone was just born to play T20 cricket. Yeah, look, you know, off with the start,
Starting point is 00:31:45 We were trying to get a bit of a platform and the surface was sort of holding a fraction. But typical to here in Dubai and it was nice to be able to build some partnerships and get what we thought at the halfway stage was a competitive total but only to be chased superbly by Australia. They're a fantastic side. They've had a brilliant campaign and they came out here tonight and turned it on. I was going to ask you about that whether you felt you had enough because you had the extra bowler in your armory. So did you think that you had it covered? Well, I mean, you never really know, but, you know, at the halfway stage, we certainly made every effort to get a good total, and guys came out and committed to their plans.
Starting point is 00:32:23 And I think, you know, we weren't far away. Once again, credits the way the Australians chased that total. You know, they didn't give us an inch, really. We were sort of relying on perhaps wickets throughout and making life a little bit difficult, but it wasn't to be today. But also really proud of our team's efforts throughout this tournament, real consistency with how we've operated and you know we came here in the final and gave it our best shot but it wasn't good enough tonight your thoughts on the campaign as a whole for new zealand yeah it was
Starting point is 00:32:52 kind of those thoughts that I just mentioned I suppose you know guys really committed to what we tried to do you know and in conditions that varied a lot from venue to venue and you know we adapted well and and played some good cricket consistent cricket throughout and we're very competitive side and and there was a lot of heart shown and you know I suppose it's always nice to get to the big dance and you know once again the team tried their very best but yeah credit to the way Australia played and and their whole campaign they're a team you know full of you know amazing players and and today they really turned it on but you can be so proud of yourself 50 over finalists test championship winners T20 finalists have you started looking upon yourself
Starting point is 00:33:31 as one of the great powers in world cricket um you know one day at a time you know and obviously we finish this campaign and such as the life in the international schedule is that you move your focus but yeah no doubt we're feeling this one a little bit some high hopes coming into the game and some really good cricket played so you know it yeah it's never nice you sign up to these sorts of things and winning and losing it at two possible outcomes and you know just a shame we couldn't get the job done tonight thank you very much for just being yourselves your humility or determination makes you a team to watch out for so thank you very much Kane Williamson.
Starting point is 00:34:08 What a player, what a leader. Game Williamson and what a fantastic. Danan is still with me in Melbourne. What a player he is, but also just you could you'd feel the hurt coming through there, Dirk from Kane Williamson. Another opportunity missed.
Starting point is 00:34:27 Absolutely. And the humility of the man is something to behold. He's played just his class tonight in the way he played when the chip were down and managed to put on such a, well, what seemed to be a decent total at the halfway mark.
Starting point is 00:34:44 It showed the true character that was man, I think. So, the losing finalists, stepping aside and now time for the Australians to be presented with their awards. First up, Ashton Agar, Pat Cummins with a big beaming smile
Starting point is 00:35:00 on his face, Josh Hazelwood, outstanding figures for him. It's funny to think at Ashton Agar came in and played for Mitch Marsh at one stage of the tournament and Ashton Agar came in for just that one game and Mitch Marsh ends up being the player of the final and gee, so many people are just so happy for him. It's such a terrific character.
Starting point is 00:35:24 One of the great team men. Everyone has a well-wish for Mitch Marsh. I don't know anyone who dislikes him as a person So it's great to see him after so many years of copying a barrage from time to time from a lot in the Australian cricketing community to see him be able to come out here and put on a performance and hopefully that negativity towards him changes as a result of this game. Deservidly so.
Starting point is 00:35:57 And Aaron Finch, a proud moment for him. He's been through a lot himself with that. knee operation to be able to get back to full fitness ahead of this tournament and now an opportunity to lift a World Cup trophy here he is I'm so proud of the way the guys went about it the whole campaign they were brilliant from the start and yeah so proud with a team like yours belief would always have been there but was it rekindled after the Bangladesh game yeah it certainly was we We knew our backs were against the wall and I think if you keep putting people's backs against the wall enough, you're going to fight and we certainly did that. We had some great individual performances.
Starting point is 00:36:38 We had some great team performances and yeah, it was fantastic. You backed your teammates a lot. Tell us specifically about your opening partner, David Warner. Oh, it was outstanding and I can't believe that people wrote him off a couple of weeks ago saying that he was done. That's when he plays his best cricket. So it was almost like poking the bear. He was outstanding. Adam Zampa?
Starting point is 00:36:56 What a tournament he had. What a tournament. player of the tournament for mine. Someone who controlled the innings so well for us, got big wickets, yeah, super player. I guess it's so many players. I could ask you about all of them, but tell me a little bit about the three players
Starting point is 00:37:08 who won you the game. Mitch Marsh today, Matthew Wade, he bats wherever you ask him to, Marcus Toinist. Mitch Marsh, what a way to start his innings today. I think he came out and put so much pressure on New Zealand from the very start. He was outstanding.
Starting point is 00:37:20 Mattie Wade, come into this game under a bit of an injury cloud, but got the job done and did a superb job throughout, especially in that semi-furt. final and Marcus Stornis just did the business I've got so much to ask you but I've got an eye on all your all your teammates waiting over there go across he will receive his award from mr. Greg Barclay chairman of the ICC congratulations Australia are the ICC 20 World Cup champions for 2021 here they go Aaron Finch lifting the trophy the
Starting point is 00:37:54 champagne going the fireworks going And the players all up on their feet, jumping up and down, arm in arm. What a campaign it's been for Australia's men. Double T20 World Cup champions, the women did it just a year ago. And a huge delight for a side. There weren't the favourites coming into the tournament, but they peaked at the right time. And for those staying up listening in Australia, well done to everyone, listening through the night, including Dirk Nannes. Just a quick one from you.
Starting point is 00:38:38 Obviously a wonderful moment for Australia. They'll be coming back home in good spirits. Will it have any bearing on what happens in the ashes, do you think? No, I don't think anything about the ashes. But I think it'll make a big difference to the... Boys and girls, like I say, a big bash is a massive feeder for youth into the game of cricket. I think we'll have a big bearing on that. It's nice to see a team that's had such rich pedigree across the years.
Starting point is 00:39:09 In terms of players in T20 cricket, but a horrible record finally come out and actually win the T20 World Cup for the first time. This is the TMS podcast from BBC Radio 5 Live. more podcast to look out for on BBC sounds, including Good Pace for Radio with Tim R Mills and Mark Wood and No Balls with Kate Cross and Alex Hartley. And look out for a new podcast coming soon, Project Ashes, telling the story of England's build-up to the series, which will be bringing you live from 11pm on the 7th of December. Coming soon on 5 Live and 5 Live Sports Extra. Flintoff came over and shook Bradley's hand. Both the Australian batsmen stood there.
Starting point is 00:39:56 confounded. Steve War, a man of little emotion, can barely restrain himself now. You could not have scripted anything more remarkable. The ashes. Oh, dear, dear. Pulse rates. This winter on Five Live and Five Live Sports Extra.

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