England new lords of T20
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England finally got their hands on an international trophy, dominating Australia in all departments in the summit clash to clinch the 2010 ICC World Twenty20 Championship title with a seven-wicket win over with more than three overs remaining. It was the fifth time the Englishmen were contesting the final of an ICC event, and their maiden title triumph.
Aussie middle-order bat David Hussey’s 59 saw the favourites to 147/6 after his side had collapsed to 8/3. England, in reply, rode on aggressive efforts from opener Craig Kieswetter (63, 49b; 7x4, 2x6) and charismatic one-down Kevin Pietersen (47, 31b; 4x4, 1x6) and their match-deciding 111-run partnership.
Skipper Paul Collingwood (12 not out) and Eoin Morgan (15 not out ) then saw the Englishmen home to scenes of jubilation and celebration from team members and a large contingent of the Barmy Army.
Pietersen and Kieswetter, who have been consistent throughout the tournament, played smart seeing off the dangerous new-ball trio of Dirk Nannes, Mitchell Johnson and Shaun Tait after having suffered an early loss of Micheal Lumb (2).
The two picked out Shane Watson (0/42), taking turns in scoring boundaries against the latter after the powerplay.
Earlier, just days after brother Michael had pulled off a dramatic rescue mission in a thrilling semi-final win over defending champions Pakistan, the younger Hussey made sure Australia’s bowlers would have a score to defend.
Together with Cameron White, the only other batsman to get to 30, David Hussey — missed on 25 — put on fifty for the fifth wicket and then shared a stand of 47 with his brother.
David Hussey was run out in the last over, going for a second run, by Luke Wright’s throw from long-on to wicketkeeper Craig Kieswetter. He faced 54 balls with two sixes and two fours.
Left-arm quick Ryan Sidebottom, who made the early inroads, took 2/26 from his maximum four overs and off-spinner Graeme Swann a miserly 1/17 in what was a first World Twenty20 final for both sides.
England had a sensational start after captain Paul Collingwood, perhaps influenced by the possibility of rain and a Duckworth/Lewis affected match, widely thought to favour the team batting second, won the toss. Sidebottom struck third ball when Shane Watson edged an intended cut, which was dropped by Kieswetter only for first slip Swann to hold the rebound.
Then two for one became seven for two when David Warner was run out having, like Watson, made just two. Australia captain Michael Clarke pushed a good length Sidebottom ball to cover and set off for a single.
Warner responded but was beaten by Michael Lumb’s under-arm direct hit. The collapse continued when Brad Haddin (one) swung hard at a delivery down the legside from Sidebottom and was well caught by diving opposing gloveman Kieswetter.
A disappointed Haddin risked disciplinary action by pointing to his thigh after West Indies umpire Billy Doctrove had given him out, even though replays suggested the wicketkeeper had a case.
Australia, at the end of the six-over powerplay, were 24/3.
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