ICC T20 World Cup 2021: Australia Won, Beat New Zealand in Final in Dubai, Warner and Stoinis Star
The ICC T20 World Cup 2021 was the seventh edition of the T20 World Cup, held in the UAE and Oman in October–November 2021. Australia won their first-ever T20 World Cup title, defeating New Zealand by 8 wickets in the final at Dubai International Stadium. David Warner scored 53 and Marcus Stoinis scored 40 not out to chase New Zealand's 172 for 4. Mitchell Marsh scored 77 not out. It was Australia's first ICC white-ball World Cup title since the 2015 Cricket World Cup and their first T20 World Cup in any format. Josh Hazlewood took 2 wickets in the final.
The ICC T20 World Cup 2021 was the seventh edition of the tournament. Originally scheduled for India in 2020 before the COVID-19 pandemic postponed it, the 2021 edition was moved to the UAE (Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah) and Oman in October and November 2021. Australia, captained by Aaron Finch, came into the tournament without a T20 World Cup title — despite being multiple-time ODI and Test World Champions — and had a reputation as a side that underperformed in the shortest format. New Zealand, captained by Kane Williamson, had reached the 2019 Cricket World Cup final (losing to England on boundary count) and had been developing a competitive T20 team around Williamson's steady batting and a pace attack including Trent Boult, Tim Southee, and Lockie Ferguson.
Australia's Path and Super 12 Stage
In the Super 12 stage, Australia defeated South Africa, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and West Indies to qualify for the semi-finals, though they also lost to England. Their campaign was characterised by batting depth — David Warner, Aaron Finch, Mitchell Marsh, Steve Smith, and Glenn Maxwell provided runs throughout the order — and a disciplined pace attack in the UAE conditions that had pace and bounce. Australia defeated Pakistan in the semi-finals in Dubai on 11 November 2021, with Matthew Wade hitting three consecutive sixes off Shaheen Shah Afridi to clinch a famous win.
The Final: Australia Beat New Zealand by 8 Wickets
In the final at Dubai International Stadium on 14 November 2021, New Zealand batted first and scored 172 for 4. Kane Williamson top-scored with 85. In reply, Australia's David Warner scored 53 runs and Mitchell Marsh scored 77 not out from 50 balls — the backbone of the chase. Marcus Stoinis contributed 40 not out. Australia reached their target with 8 wickets and 7 balls to spare — their most comprehensive win of the tournament. It was Australia's first T20 World Cup title and only their second ICC white-ball World Cup title in five years (after the 2015 Cricket World Cup). Josh Hazlewood was Australia's most economical bowler in the tournament and took 2 wickets in the final. Aaron Finch became the first Australian captain to win a T20 World Cup.
Frequently asked questions
Who won the ICC T20 World Cup 2021 and what happened in the final?
Australia won the ICC T20 World Cup 2021, defeating New Zealand by 8 wickets in the final at Dubai International Stadium on 14 November 2021. New Zealand scored 172 for 4 (Kane Williamson 85); Australia chased it in 18.5 overs. Mitchell Marsh scored 77 not out and David Warner scored 53. It was Australia's first ever T20 World Cup title, and their first ICC white-ball title since the 2015 Cricket World Cup.
What was Mitchell Marsh's performance in the 2021 T20 World Cup final?
Mitchell Marsh scored 77 not out from 50 balls in the 2021 ICC T20 World Cup final against New Zealand. His innings, alongside David Warner's 53, steered Australia's chase of 173 comfortably. Australia won by 8 wickets with 7 balls remaining. Marsh's unbeaten knock was the cornerstone of Australia's run chase and earned him recognition as the match's standout performer.