New Zealand vs Australia ICC World Twenty20, 2021

FOUR! THERE IT IS! There are the winning runs! Maxwell is the one who finishes the game off in style! The five-time 50-over World Cup champions have won the T20 World Cup for the very first time. A trademark Maxwell shot to end the chase. A slower one wide outside off, Maxwell plays the reverse sweep and it goes past short third man for a boundary. AUSTRALIA WIN BY 8 WICKETS!

Just a boundary needed now! Outside off, a slower one. It is hit down to long off for one.

Looking to finish it off with a biggie but just the one! A slower one on off, Maxwell swings, it goes off the inner half down to wide long on. He wants two, but only one run is available.

A single which means the Aussies now are one big hit away! Shorter and on middle, this is pulled through mid-wicket for one.

FOUR! That is probably the hit that seals the deal! A slower one, into the surface. Marsh swings, he does not time it that well but it flies down to long off. Neesham runs to his right, dives but does not reach it. A boundary. Just 7 needed more.

Change in bowling. Tim Southee (3-0-32-0) is back on.

Fuller and on off, Marsh hits it down to long off for one. A good over by Milne, got a little bit of belief back. 11 needed 12.

A low full toss on middle, this is whipped through square leg for one.

Just short! Sums up New Zealand's day! Nothing has gone their way in this innings! Shorter and outside of, this is slapped hard but towards mid off. Southee dives forward, stops it in the end as it lands short.

Another dot! 13 needed in 15. A shorter one outside off, another slower one. Maxwell looks to pull but misses.

Fuller and on off, Marsh plays it down to long off for one.

A dot! New Zealand need a lot more of these! Outside off, Marsh has a swing at it but misses.

A chance goes down! Don't think that would have mattered but probably would have given New Zealand some belief. A slower one on middle, Marsh drives it hard, back to the bowler. Boult looks to catch it above his head but it bursts out and goes behind to mid on, for a run.

A collision but all smiles in the end! Outside off, this is guided towards short third man. Both, Maxwell and Boult are watching the ball, Maxwell runs into the pacer. No harm done though in the end, just a run.

WIDE! Down the leg side, Maxwell looks to whip it but misses. Wided.

A slower bumper, Maxwell does not pick it and leaves it alone.

Fuller and on middle, Marsh strokes it down to long off for one.

FOUR! Marsh is now in a hurry to end this! Short and it sits up to be hit. Marsh hammers it towards mid-wicket. In the gap and into the fence.

Two! Fuller and on middle, this is powered down the ground, the long off fielder runs to his right and cuts it off. Two taken.

Change in bowling. Last throw of the dice by Kane Williamson. Trent Boult (3-0-8-2) to bowl out.

A dot to finish! 4 to go. 24 needed. Shorter and outside of, Maxwell looks to cut but under-edges it towards point.

Angled into the pads, Marsh looks to flick but misses. It hits the pad again and rolls on the leg side. A leg bye is pinched.

Ambitious appeal! Angled into the pads, Marsh swings, he misses, it hits the pads and lobs on the leg side. No run.

Shorter again and on middle, Maxwell pulls it towards deep square leg. A run is taken.

SIX! Over the fence! Short and on the body, Maxwell stays back and pulls it over the fine leg fence. Goes all the way. Less than run-a-ball is needed now.

WIDE! New Zealand really can't afford these extras. Down the leg side. Maxwell looks to whip it but misses.

FOUR! Australia are well and truly on course to win it now. 33 needed. Maxwell makes room and Southee follows him. Maxwell looks to heave it, it goes off the inner half down to fine leg for a boundary.

A single to end but the damage was done earlier on in the over! A short one, outside off, slower. Maxwell looks to pull, he is way too early again, it goes off the toe-end. A run in the end. Just the 37 needed in the last 5 overs.

Change. Tim Southee (2-0-20-0) is back on.

WIDE! A bumper now but way too short. Goes well over the batter's head. Wided.

A good ball! A slower bumper, Maxwell is way too early into the stroke. He misses it by a long way.

FOUR! Consecutive boundaries and only 39 needed now in 32. All the luck going Australia's way! Short and on middle, seam-up ball. Maxwell looks to pull, this goes off the top edge down to the third man fence.

FOUR! Finds the gap! Australia running away with this! Short and on the body, Maxwell pulls, it does not seem out from the middle but in the gap in the backward square leg region. Boundary.

Has that been put down? No, just short! Short and on the body, Marsh pulls it flat towards deep square leg. Daryl Mitchell runs in and slides forward but it lands short. Does well to keep it down to one.

A slower one to begin with! On middle, Marsh plays it back to the bowler.

Will Trent Boult bowl out? Nope, Adam Milne (2-0-16-0) is back on.

A single to end another huge over for the Aussies. Sodhi has gone for 40 in his 3. Outside off, this is slapped through covers for one. 48 needed in 36. Australia's game to lose now.

Slows it up and bowls it outside off, Marsh looks to hit it through the off side but it goes off the bottom half towards cover.

Yet another wide! Runs needed below 50. Another one well outside off, left alone. Kane Williamson has a word with his bowler.

A dot! Need a lot more of these! Shortish again and outside off, Marsh looks to cut it hard but gets an under-edge. The ball bounces on its way to the keeper.

Yet another wide! Pressure getting to Sodhi! Well outside off, left alone.

FOUR! Getting Ish Sodhi on was probably not the right move! Short and it sits up to be hit. A hit-me ball. This is pulled through mid-wicket. Boundary this time.

Two! Sodhi has not been at his best! Bangs it short and on middle, this is pulled through mid-wicket. Long on runs to his right, slides and keeps it down to two.

SIX! Fifty for Marsh, off 31 balls. What an innings and it is the fastest fifty in a T20 World Cup final. He needs to stay there though, the job is only half done. Tossed up outside off, Marsh powers it over the long on fence for a biggie. The length was very full and it went the distance. Aaron Finch is enjoying Marsh's knock and is applauding from the dressing room.

Ish Sodhi (2-0-24-0) is back on. He needs to pick up a wicket here for Kane Williamson.

WIDE! Not the best of starts! Well outside off, left alone. Wided.

Full ball, on off. Marsh works it to long on for one. Just 3 runs and a big wicket from that over. 64 needed in the last 7.

Length ball, around off. Maxwell punches it to deep cover for one. He is off the mark.

Boult digs a short one, around off. Maxwell goes for the pull but toe-ends it towards short mid-wicket.

Short of a length, outside off. Maxwell looks to cut it away but misses.

Glenn Maxwell walks out to bat!

OUT! BOWLED! Trent Boult delivers for Kane Williamson! Is this the moment that brings New Zealand back in the game? Length ball, around off at 138 kph. It lands and skids away with the angle as Warner looks to heave it away on the leg side. The ball perhaps stays a bit low and beats Warner's bat before smashing the stumps. A brilliant, brilliant World Cup for Warner ends here but he has put Australia in a winning position. 66 needed off 46 balls.

Length ball, around middle, Marsh punches it off his back foot past extra cover for a run.

Trent Boult is back on! Williamson needs a wicket and he has gone back to his best bowler.

Shorter ball, outside off and spinning away further. Marsh drags his pull shot down to long on for a run. 9 from that over. 67 needed off 48 balls.

FOUR! No stopping that! Shorter ball, on middle. Plenty of time for Marsh to rock back and pull it hard. The man at short mid-wicket dives to his right but does not get there. It runs away to the fence.

Darted on the pads. Warner looks to work it away but gets it off his pads to short fine leg for one. Given as a leg bye.

Just short! Shorter ball, on off. Marsh pulls it flat towards deep mid-wicket. Glenn Phillips runs in, dives forward to take it but it lands just short of him. One taken. 100 up!

Shorter ball, outside off. Pulled to deep square leg for one.

Shorter ball, outside off. Marsh cuts it away. The man at cover dives and gets his fingertips on it but cannot prevent a single.

Slower ball, on a length, around off. Marsh pushes it to deep cover for one. It is looking all too easy for Australia at this moment. 15 from that over.

Length ball, around off. Warner works it to deep mid-wicket for one.

SIX! There she goes, that sounded stunning! The ploy to bring on Neesham has not worked so far! On a length, around middle and off. Warner heaves it deep into the stand behind mid-wicket. It brings up the fifty for Warner, off 34 balls and what a T20 World Cup he is having!

Slower and shorter, outside off. Marsh pulls it to deep mid-wicket for one.

Length ball, on off. Pushed to covers.

SIX! A thumping welcome to Neesham by Marsh! Short ball, down the leg side. Marsh nicely pulls it over backward square leg for a boundary.

DRINKS! Australia are in a really good position here! After losing Finch early, Marsh and Warner have got this chase back on track. Sensible batting from the two will really take them closer to a victory. New Zealand, on the other hand, need wickets, they look flat at the moment. Will the break work well for them? Australia lost the plot immediately after the Drinks break in the semi-final, will they be extra careful this time or continue to be aggressive? New Zealand made 115 runs in the back 10, Australia need to score 91. The final phase of the final is going to be very interesting.

Shorter ball, outside off. Cut away to deep point for one.

Fuller ball, on off. Pushed to covers.

Tossed up, around off. Marsh goes for the drive but the ball turns away and goes past the bat.

Flatter ball, on off. Warner taps it towards wide mid on. Santner goes after it and keeps it to one.

Tossed up, wide outside off. Warner sweeps it wide of deep mid-wicket and takes a couple.

Shorter ball, outside off. Cut away to deep cover for one.

SIX! This is a massive over for Australia and they are flying! Tossed up, outside off. Warner smokes it straight down the ground for a massive six. 17 from the over.

FOUR! Warner is getting into his own now and Kane Williamson has a worried look on his face! Shorter ball, around off, Warner pulls it hard. Adam Milne at deep square leg runs to his right and slides but the ball goes under him and runs to the fence.

Warner comes down the track so Sodhi bowls it down the leg side. Warner tries to work it around but misses. Luckily for him, his pads work as the second line of defense and the ball deflects to square leg.

Tossed up, on off. Warner reverse-sweeps it. The man at point dives but cannot stop. Two taken as it goes in the deep.

FOUR! That is a powerful stroke by Warner! Shorter ball, way outside off. Warner hammers it down the ground. The man at long on dives but has no chance. Warner now has the most runs in a single T20 World Cup for Australia.

Shorter ball, on off. Marsh cuts it to deep point for one.

Quicker ball, fuller and on the pads. Marsh works it to long on for one.

Well bowled. Nicely tossed up, wide outside off. Marsh looks to drive but is beaten.

Fuller ball, lands on off and comes in with the angle. Warner clips it to deep mid-wicket for one.

Shorter ball, on the pads. Marsh works it to deep mid-wicket for one.

SIX! That is absolutely hammered by Marsh! It's flatter and darted on the pads. Marsh gets low and slog-sweeps it deep into the stands behind square leg.

Warner comes down the track straightaway so Santner pushes it wider and shorter. It's cut away to deep cover for one.

Change! Spin from both ends now as Mitchell Santner is on.

That brings up the 50 for Australia. Fired on the pads. Warner goes on the back foot and works it to deep square leg for an easy single.

Nicely tossed up, on off. Marsh drives it to deep cover for one.

Shorter again, angling across off. Warner taps it towards deep mid-wicket for one.

Shorter ball, outside off. Warner pulls it wide of long on for a couple.

Slider on the pads. Marsh pushes it to long on for one.

Tossed up, around leg. Warner works it towards deep mid-wicket for one.

Change! Time for some spin now as Ish Sodhi comes on.

Angles in a length ball on off, at 143 kph, Marsh covers the line and defends it back. A good comeback over by Milne. At the end of the Powerplay, Australia are 43/1, needing 130 runs more to win the final, off 84 balls.

Shortish and around middle, at 76 mph, Warner moves back and cuts it past the right side of the point fielder for a single.

Pacy delivery, at 141 kph, Adam Milne bends his back to bowl a bouncer around middle, Warner sways away at the last moment.

Slower delivery again, a bit short on middle at 75 mph, Warner delays his shot but still finds the point fielder.

Digs it in short, around middle at 76 mph, Marsh is early into the pull shot and misses. The ball deflects off his body to square leg and they collect another leg bye.

Fires in a full ball around leg at 92 mph, Warner fails to flick and it goes off his pads to backward square leg. They collect a leg bye.

Shortish and around off, Warner punches it to sweeper cover for a single.

SIX! Boom! Southee is a shade on the shorter side, around leg and middle at 72 mph, Warner sits back and waits for the ball to arrive before launching it over mid-wicket. He is so powerful.

Fuller and on middle, Marsh uses the angle of the bowler and works it to the right of mid on for a single.

Lands it on a length and close to off, Marsh goes on the back foot and defends it to the off side.

Serves it short and perhaps on the slower side, Warner turns inside the crease with his pull shot but under-edges it behind square leg. They cross.

Delivers it on a good length around middle, Marsh stays back and works it towards square leg for a single.

Bowling change. Tim Southee is back on. He went for 10 in his first over.

Shortish and around leg, at 89 mph, Warner steps back and cuts but finds the fielder at cover-point. Yells a loud no. A couple of dot balls to end an expensive over.

Slower one, shortish and around off at 119 kph, Warner punches from the back foot to covers.

Around off on a length, Marsh pushes it in the gap at covers for a single.

FOUR! Marsh is enjoying Adam Milne's pace at the moment. Shortish and around off at 141 kph, Marsh sits on the front foot and then leans back to unfurl a cracking pull shot. It's towards mid-wicket and the ball speeds away to the fence.

FOUR! Cleverly done! Another pacy delivery, short and outside off at 92 mph, Mitchell Marsh delays his shot and just uses the pace of the bowler to fetch a boundary at third man.

SIX! Whoa! That's some way to open your account in the final. A touch short in length, around middle and leg at 144 kph, Mitchell Marsh picks it up and belts it over deep backward square leg for a biggie. He loves pace on the bat.

Change. Adam Milne comes on now.

Shortish and around off, Warner sticks on the back foot and plays it down to point. Fine over from Boult.

Short and outside off, pace off, Warner stays back and then plays a controlled pull shot towards mid on. Got deceived there due to the lack of pace.

Angling in from around off, on a length, Warner defends it by covering the line.

Who will bat now? Mitchell Marsh it is.

OUT! TAKEN! Trent Boult draws first blood and the Australian skipper yet again falls to a left-arm pacer! Finch comes down the track again so Boult digs it short on his body. Finch goes for the pull but gets the top edge. The ball goes to the left of deep mid-wicket. Daryl Mitchell runs across, slides and takes a very, very good catch. A well planned and executed breakthrough.

FOUR! Smacked! Slower ball, on a length, on off. Finch dances down the track and smacks it straight down the ground for a boundary.

Length ball, around off. Finch looks to block but gets an inside edge past the stumps.

Shortish and outside off, Finch inside-edges his attempted back foot punch to fine leg for one.

Shortish and around leg, turned towards square leg for one.

Gets behind the line of the delivery and pushes it back to the bowler.

FOUR! Boom! Warner is going to attack every width outside off. This time it's short and wide outside off, Warner brings his fast hands into play and whacks it over backward point for a boundary. Till the time David Warner is there, Kane Williamson will have to hold back Mitchell Santner.  So that's one option gone inside the Powerplay for the Kiwis.

FOUR! Smashed away! Fuller and around off, angling away, Warner stays leg-side of this delivery and smacks it over cover-point for a boundary.

IN THE AIR... Doesn't carry. Back of a length and around off, Warner hangs back to pull but the ball stops a bit before reaching him. He ends up playing a mistimed pull shot in the air but it doesn't carry to Adam Milne at mid on.

Warner backs away at the last moment. The ball had left Southee's hand but Warner backed away.

Tim Southee to start from the other end.

Huge shout for an lbw! Not entertained by the umpire. Trent Boult cooks an inswinger, it's full and in the line of the stumps, Aaron dances down the track and tries to flick but misses. He is pinged on the pads, they appeal but to no avail. Finch was too much down there. Also, it could have swung down and missed the stumps. The replays show that it was clipping the leg stump but Finch was anyway 3 meters down the track. End of an excellent first over by Trent Boult.

Big swing and a miss! Trent Boult is varying his length well. Goes short and around off at 138 kph, Aaron Finch tries to pull but misses.

Pitches it up and outside off, Finch is standing outside the crease to negate the movement and plays a mistimed drive to mid off.

Edgy! Width on offer outside off, shaping away a shade, Warner flashes his bat at it and edges it down to third man for a run. Australia are away.

On a good length and around off, the angle takes it into the batter as the ball skids on, Warner pushes it out off the inner half to the leg side.

Trent Boult is short straightaway. Outside off, Warner jumps and cuts but finds the point fielder.

Two to finish! A low full toss, on off. Neesham hits it to long off. They set off for the second. The throw comes to Starc, he throws it to Wade, but both the batters are safe! New Zealand end at 172 for 4!

Yorker, on the pads. Tim Seifert works it to deep mid-wicket. The fielder runs in and keeps it to one. Final ball of the first innings coming up.

TWO WIDES! Sprays it full and down the leg side. Neesham misses the flick. Wade has to dive to stop the ball and the batters set off for a bye. The throw comes in but Wade misses the stumps at his end.

A slight halt in play. Mitchell Starc is changing his shoes.

Swing and a miss! Length ball, wide outside off. Neesham misses his heave down the ground.

A low full toss, wide outside off. Tim Seifert slices it to third man for one.

Perfect yorker, outside off. Tim Seifert gets no bat on it. Wade fumbles and the batters think to steal a bye but decide against it as Wade is quick to recover.

FOUR! Poor day for Mitchell Starc continues! He goes for the yorker, but bowls a full one, down the leg side. Tim Seifert flicks it through backward square leg and the ball runs away to the fence.

Mitchell Starc will bowl the final over. He has not had the best of days so far with the ball.

NOT OUT! Length ball, wide outside off. Neesham hits it to wide long on. The fielder runs in and collects it. Neesham sprints back for the second as the throw comes in. Wade whips the bails off and the TV umpire is called. But Neesham puts in a stretch and gets back just in time.

Is that a run out? James Neesham is the man in question and the Aussies are quite confident. He is safe though! Neesham has his bat in!

Wide! Slower and shorter again. Angling across off. Neesham leaves it and the umpire stretches his arms to signal a wide.

Short of a length, outside off. Tim Seifert hits it firmly through extra cover for one.

Slower ball, short of a length, outside off. Neesham lines himself for a pull but the ball takes days to reach him. He ends up playing a mistimed pull towards mid-wicket and picks up a single.

SIX! BAM! Powerful stroke! Length ball, wide outside off. Neesham smacks it straight over the bowler's head for a maximum.

Slower and shorter, outside off. Cut away to deep point for one.

Length ball, outside off. Neesham cuts it to deep point for one. That brings up the 150 for the Kiwis.

Who will bowl the 19th over? Pat Cummins to continue.

Length ball, on the pads. Flicked past square leg for one. A stupendous 18th over by Josh Hazlewood, wickets of two set batsmen in it.

Tim Seifert is slotted to come in next. Here he is.

OUT! CAUGHT! Josh Hazlewood gets the biggest fish of the night so far! Wonderful bowling by the tall pacer and he has been the pick of the bowlers for Aaron Finch! Slower ball, on a length around off. Kane Williamson comes down the track to go over long off but does not get the connection right. The ball goes straight to Steven Smith in the deep and he takes it with ease. A wonderful, wonderful knock by the Kiwi skipper ends. Had it not been for him, they would have struggled for momentum.

Slower ball, on a length, outside off. Kane Williamson looks to punch but misses.

FOUR! Perfect, perfect execution! Length ball, outside off. Williamson shuffles across and then scoops it perfectly over short fine leg for a boundary.

Who will New Zealand send now? Tim Seifert? James Neesham? Here comes the latter.

OUT! TAKEN! Josh Hazlewood breaks the stand! Length ball, around off at 123 kph. Glenn Phillips shuffles across the stumps and heaves it across the line but does not middle his shot properly. The ball goes to the left of deep mid-wicket. Glenn Maxwell moves across swiftly and takes the catch safely.

Change. Josh Hazlewood (3-0-11-1) to bowl out.

Length ball, around off. Glenn Phillips looks to play the reverse-batted shot but is beaten by the slowness of the delivery.

Just 8 from the over then! Short of a length, wide outside off. Kane Williamson pulls it wide of deep mid-wicket for a couple. A wonderful over by Cummins. He has gone for just 14 runs in his 3 overs.

Another slower bouncer, on leg. Pulled to deep square leg for one. Pace off seems to be the key on this wicket.

Length ball, slower in pace and way outside off. Kane Williamson gets the under-edge while looking to cut. The ball goes to the left of Wade. He dives to make the stop and the batters take one.

Slower bouncer, on leg. Glenn Phillips drags his pull past square leg for one.

Slower ball, on a length, on off. Kane Williamson looks to punch but gets it from the inner half. The ball goes past Cummins and they take one.

Short of a length, on off. Glenn Phillips played a mistimed pull to deep mid-wicket for one.

Length ball, way outside off. Glenn Phillips gets no bat on it. Wide called.

Change. Pat Cummins is back on. Can he stem the flow of runs?

Change!

FOUR! Sublime batting by Kane Williamson! Mitchell Starc serves a length ball, outside off. Kane Williamson opens the face of his bat and plays it between backward point and short third man for a boundary. 22 runs from the over, the most expensive in the first innings of a T20 World Cup final.

FOUR! That is the most incredible stroke that he has played today! Length ball, outside off. Kane Williamson plays it inside out. He plays it very late so the ball goes behind the point fence and runs away.

Starc goes 'round the wicket and bowls a full one, outside off. Kane Williamson gets no bat on it.

SIX! What a strike that is! Kane Williamson is feasting on the Aussie bowlers now! Wow, this is incredible hitting! Starc goes fuller, on the pads. Williamson shuffles across and then whips it nicely over the square leg fence.

FOUR! Another lucky boundary for Kane Williamson! Fortune favouring the brave. Length ball, on middle, Kane looks to heave it away across the line but gets a top edge. The third man is inside the ring and the ball sails over that fielder to find the fence.

FOUR! A lucky boundary for Kane Williamson! Full ball, angling across him. He throws his bat at it but gets the outside edge. The ball flies past short third man and runs to the fence.

Change. Mitchell Starc (2-0-28-0) is back on.

Dot to finish the over and a brilliant spell by Zampa. He ends with figures of 4-0-26-1. Flatter ball, on leg, Glenn Phillips turns inside the crease to work it on the leg side but mistimes it near the surface. Wade is quick to pick the ball.

FOUR! Another quality stroke from the bat of Glenn Phillips! Tossed up, wide outside off. He lifts it over covers and the ball runs away to the fence.

Loopy ball, on off. Kane Williamson works it to long on for one.

Darted on the pads. Worked past mid-wicket for one.

Lovely delivery! Tossed up, outside off. Glenn Phillips looks to push it away but is beaten. Wade gathers it and there is an appeal for caught behind. But the umpire is unmoved. No review is taken. UltraEdge confirms that there was no bat on it.

SIX! BOOM! The safest shot in cricket! Tossed up, on off. Glenn Phillips hits it straight back over Zampa for a maximum. Top shot there by Glenn Phillips. He might look to target this over.

Change of ends for Adam Zampa.

Uppish but wide of the fielder! Slower ball, on a length, around off. Kane Williamson punches it aerially. The ball goes wide and over extra cover for a couple. A good over from Pat.

Well bowled. Slower and shorter, outside off. Glenn Phillips looks to pull but is way early into the stroke. The ball hits his body and rolls to short third man. A leg bye is taken.

Similar line and length, Kane Williamson punches it to deep cover for one.

Short of a length, outside off. Glenn Phillips slashes it to deep point for one.

Another dot. Slower ball, on a length, around off. Glenn Phillips pushes it to covers.

Fuller ball, on off. Pushed to mid off.

Will Adam Zampa bowl out? Nope, Pat Cummins comes on.

A single to end! Shorter and outside off, this is cut through point for one. 16 from the over, Glenn Maxwell has gone for 28 in his 3 and the one remaining over of the fifth bowler was bowled by Mitchell Marsh. So the Australian fifth bowling option has cost 0/39 in 4 overs.

Kane Williamson misses out. It is a full toss, a dipping one. Williamson looks to lift it over the off side but this sneaks under the bat, Wade does not collect it and a run is taken. Bye.

SIX! Fifty up for Williamson in style. This knock will be hurting Hazlewood the most as he had dropped Kane on 21. The Kiwi skipper is delivering when matters. This is tossed up on middle, Williamson plays the slog-sweep and it goes all the way over mid-wicket. It's into the crowd.

SIX! That is a one-handed hit. Kane Williamson skips down the track. He does not quite get to the pitch of the ball but still goes ahead with the heave. His one hand comes off the handle but it is off the middle and sails over the fence at mid-wicket.

Fuller and on middle, this is worked through mid-wicket for one.

Too high probably and also pitched outside leg. Shorter and on the pads. Williamson looks to pull, he misses. It hits the pad and rolls towards short third man. A leg bye is taken. There was an appeal but turned down immediately. No review taken.

Change. Glenn Maxwell (2-0-14-0) is back on.

Just 5 and a wicket from the over. Loopy ball, around off. Pushed past covers for one.

Good running. Shorter ball, on the pads. Kane Williamson pulls it to the left of deep mid-wicket. Starc throws the ball in, but the batters take him on and get the second with ease.

Flatter ball, on the pads. Glenn Phillips works it towards deep backward square leg for a run.

Tossed up, wide outside off. Williamson works it to long on for one.

Loopy ball, around off. Blocked out.

Who will New Zealand send in now? Glenn Phillips it is.

OUT! TAKEN! Adam Zampa delivers for Australia yet again! You cannot keep leggies out of this format! This is tossed up, around leg, Guptill has had plenty of time in the middle and decides to take Zampa on. He slog-sweeps it but doesn't hit it all that well. The ball goes to deep mid-wicket and Marcus Stoinis takes it just inside the rope. A big moment in the game as the 48-run stand has been broken.

That is outstanding work in the field. Fuller and outside off, Williamson strokes it through covers. Stoinis runs to his right, it seems to be going away from him. He dives and saves two for his side. A couple from the freebie. End of a very big over for the Kiwis, 19 coming off it.

NO BALL AND FOUR! Is this the momentum-changing over? Three boundaries in a row. A high full toss on middle, Williamson pulls it over mid-wicket. In the gap for yet another boundary. Free Hit coming...

FOUR! Timed beautifully! Fuller and on off, Williamson strokes it down the ground, through mid off. Consecutive boundaries.

DROPPED AND FOUR! Josh Hazlewood is the culprit. That should have been taken. It just bursts through his hands. This could prove costly and just the luck Williamson needed who is short of runs. Is this his day? He walks across, this is a full toss, it is whipped towards fine leg. Josh runs to his left, looks to take it over his head but it goes through his hands and trickles over the rope.

Two! Fuller and on off, Williamson makes room. He jams it out wide of long off for two.

Fuller and on off, this is eased down to long off for one.

From around the wicket, angles it into middle, it is worked down to long on for one.

Drinks! A really good start for Australia as they have kept New Zealand at under 6 per over. But, it is also important to remember that the pitch seems to be quite slow. The plan from the Kiwis seems to be to keep wickets in hand and then launch once the time comes. When will that time come and which of these two batters will step on the gas? We will find out soon. Mitchell Starc (1-0-9-0) is back on.

Another good over by Zampa. On off, Kane Williamson walks down the track and plays it through mid off for a single.

Now bowls the slider at 97 kph, outside off, Guptill pushes it and bags another single as it goes through covers.

Slows it up, lands it on off, Williamson strokes it through covers for one more.

On off, this is pushed down to long off for one.

On middle, this is worked through mid-wicket for a single.

Fractionally short and on middle, this one stays low. Guptill looks to pull, it goes off the inner half through mid-wicket for one.

A dot to end but the damage was done earlier on. A slower short one and on the body. Williamson looks to pull but misses. He gets hit on the body.

FOUR! Consecutive boundaries and 50 up for New Zealand! Short and on middle, Williamson rocks back and pulls it through mid-wicket. Boundary. This is a really good over for the Kiwis.

FOUR! Up and over! First boundary after the 4th over, will that break the shackles? Williamson steps out. Marsh shortens the length a little outside off. Williamson lifts it over covers for a boundary.

Shorter and on middle, Guptill pulls it through mid-wicket for one.

Marsh rolls his fingers on the ball, it is on a length on off and pushed down to long off for one.

Just the single again! Fuller and on off, Guptill pushes it down to long off and gets to the other end.

Change. Mitchell Marsh comes on now.

A dot to end! Just the three from the over. Fuller and on middle, this is played back to the bowler.

Another one slightly shorter and outside off, MG this time manages to push it through the gap at covers for one.

Guptill does not put that away. Shorter and outside off, this is pushed to covers.

Lovely! Drags his length back. A googly, it is pushed to covers.

Outside off, Williamson pushes it through covers for one. New Zealand dealing in singles.

Fuller and on off, Guptill strokes it down to long off and takes one.

Adam Zampa comes on now. Given the slowish nature of the surface so far, he will play a key role here.

Australia continue to keep it tight. On middle, Guptill pushes it through mid on and gets to the other end to retain strike.

On middle, it is pushed to long on for just the one again.

Outside off, this is pushed through covers for one.

Drags his length back and bowls it on middle, blocked.

Another single as Williamson now works it down to long on.

Fuller and on middle, this is worked down to long on for one.

Change in bowling. Glenn Maxwell is back on. He went for 9 in his first over.

Aerial but safe! Back of a length, around off, stopping a bit again, Williamson plays a mistimed heave over the leg side. It falls in no man's land at deep mid-wicket and New Zealand get a couple of runs. At the end of the Powerplay, the Kiwis are 32/1.

Delivers it on a length and around off, Williamson steps back to make room but still finds the fielder at covers with his shot. Five dots.

Fuller and shaping back in from around off, Kane Williamson blocks it out to the off side.

Shortish and on off, Kane punches off the back foot but not in the gap, finds the extra cover fielder.

Back of a length around off, stopping a bit onto the batsman, Williamson tries to work it around on the leg side but it jumps extra and takes the upper half of his bat. He ends up pushing it back to the bowler.

Nice delivery, on a length around off and straightening off the seam, Williamson tries to play straight but it takes the leading edge and goes to point.

Will Josh Hazlewood get one more over in the Powerplay? Yup, he will continue.

Around off, on a good length, Martin pokes inside the line and plays it a bit off the outer edge. The ball rolls to backward point. A good opening over from Pat Cummins.

A touch short and around off, Kane plays it with soft hands in front of square leg and picks up a run. The Kiwi skipper is off the mark.

Pace off as it's a cross-seamer, around middle and leg, Guptill tickles it through square leg for a single.

The batsman has just blocked that from his crease.

This one is served a bit fuller and around off, Guptill pushes it off his front foot to covers.

Pat Cummins comes on now.

Delivers it on a length and around off, Guptill plays late with an angled at but finds backward point.

On a length, just outside off. Punched to covers. Just 5 and a big wicket from that over. Good two overs from Josh Hazlewood.

Kane Williamson walks out to bat.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! The hero of the semi-final for New Zealand is done and dusted very early in the game. Hazlewood brings his class into play. Sticks to his line around off, it's a bit short and he has run his fingers on the side of the ball. A 131 kph delivery reaches the batsman a bit late and Daryl Mitchell is shaping up to guide it down to third man by stepping back slightly. The ball though takes the outside edge and Matthew Wade dives forward to snap a terrific low catch. Josh Hazlewood has once again struck inside the Powerplay.

Another dot. Short of a length, but the punch by Mitchell goes straight towards cover. Josh Hazlewood is bowling really well here.

On a length, on off. Daryl Mitchell punches it to cover. Dot ball.

Full one, on the pads. Guptill flicks it to deep square leg and crosses over.

FOUR! Top stroke! Josh Hazlewood serves a length ball, just outside off. Guptill stands up tall and punches it through covers for a boundary.

Around middle and leg, Guptill fails to work it around and it rolls off his pads. They cross for a leg bye. A good comeback by Maxy after conceding a biggie on the first ball.

Shortish and on middle, Mitchell gets back and tucks it through square leg for one.

Quicker and on middle, it's eased down to long on for a single.

Is that a dropped catch? Flatter again, short and outside off, Guptill tries to cut but fails to middle it. Wade is unable to gather the ball. The replays detect an inside edge. Big miss.

Flatter and shorter on middle, helped behind square leg for a single.

SIX! Stand and delivery! They would look to attack Maxwell. Floated and full around off, right in the slot for the batter, Daryl Mitchell wastes no time in going after it and smashes it handsomely over the bowler's head.

Time for some spin as Glenn Maxwell comes on. He, Stoinis and Marsh will make the 5th bowler so the Kiwis will look to target them.

Back on the money, around off and on a length, Guptill gets forward and pushes it to covers. Excellent first over from Josh Hazlewood!

FOUR! Guptill ends the dry spell of four balls. Short in length and around middle, at 138 kph, Guptill gets on top of the bounce and pulls it to fine leg. The fielder in the deep is very, very square and the ball runs away to the fence.

Shortish and around off, Guptill punches it from the back foot to covers where Mitchell Marsh makes a diving stop to his left. Good energy.

A hint of movement around off but the ball is not zipping through off the surface, Guptill stays on the back foot and helps it to mid-wicket.

A touch short and on off, at 142 clicks, Guptill eases himself on the back foot and pushes it to mid off.

On the money is Josh Hazlewood. Serves it on a good length around off, not offering much room, Guptill gets back and plays it down to mid-wicket.

Josh Hazlewood set to steam in.

Edgy! Back of a length, around off and angling away, Martin Guptill stays back to push inside the line and edges it down to third man for a run. 9 from the first over of the final.

Starc goes leg side on this occasion. It's been a poor start from the speedster. On a good length and around leg, Daryl Mitchell uses his wrists and works it through backward square leg. Josh Hazlewood gives the chase to his left from fine leg and puts in a dive to stop the ball. He then back-flicks it in the direction of the square leg fielder inside the ring and that allows the batsmen time to pick the third run.

Better line and length from Starc. He delivers it around middle and leg, Mitchell pushes it down the ground with a straight bat but finds mid on.

Once again there is a little bit of width available outside off, no movement whatsoever for Starc, Guptill throws his bat at it and steers it down to the right of third man for a single.

FOUR! Leaves the first ball and smashes the second one. That's Guptill for you. It's slightly short and in the zone outside off, Martin stands tall inside the crease and slaps it through the gap at point for a boundary, first of the final.

Starc begins by hurling a full delivery across the right-hander, it's outside off and further angling away, Martin Guptill makes a watchful leave.

Done with the pre-match formalities. Aaron Finch has his team in a huddle and then leads Australia out on the field. Martin Guptill and Daryl Mitchell stride out to bat for New Zealand. Mitchell Starc will steam in with the new ball. But first, both the teams take the knee to support the Black Lives Matter movement. Here we go for the final time. Game on!

We are set for the finale! Both the teams and match officials walk out on the field for the national anthems for the final time. First, the anthem of Australia will be played followed by that of New Zealand.

Trent Boult is down for a chat. The Kiwi speedster says that they are looking forward to taking on the Aussies and they hope to keep adding to the trophy cabinet. Feels that bowling with the new ball is quite important and taking early wickets is the key. Further adds that missing Conway is a huge loss but that allows someone else to step up and perform.

Kane Williamson, the skipper of New Zealand, says that they would have bowled first as well. Says that they now need to focus on their task on hand. Informs that Tim Seifert comes in for Devon Conway and adds that Conway is a big loss. Finishes by saying that they do not want to look too far ahead and just do what they have done well so far.

Aaron Finch, the captain of Australia, says it seems a dry surface, it might skid with the new ball and then slow up. Informs they are playing the same XI. Adds they did well to hang in there in the last game and that win gave them a lot of confidence. Praises Adam Zampa and hopes that his form continues. Mentions history does not matter, it is a new game, a new competition and they are looking forward to doing well.

New Zealand (Playing XI) - Martin Guptill, Daryl Mitchell, Kane Williamson (C), Tim Seifert (WK) (In for Devon Conway), Glenn Phillips, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Adam Milne, Ish Sodhi, Trent Boult.

Australia (Unchanged Playing XI) - Aaron Finch (C), David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Steven Smith, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade (WK), Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood.

Toss - Aaron Finch and Kane Williamson are in the middle. Both shake hands and share a smile. Looking very relaxed. Up goes the coin, Finch calls Heads and it's Heads. AUSTRALIA ELECT TO FIELD!

PITCH REPORT - Shane Watson says that the wicket is quite dry with no real live grass. The Aussie feels that the middle overs with the spinners are going to be crucial. Watson further adds that it should be a good pitch for batting, although it could be a bit two-paced. So the toss will be quite interesting as batting first might be an advantage.

David Warner comes up for a little chat. The Aussie opener says that there is a lot of confidence in their team and as a collective unit, it is going to be all about producing the goods with both bat and ball. Adds that for him, it is about going out there and trying to put his team in a good position. Tells that the trend here in the Powerplay is about minimizing the damage and they will look to do that.

Win the toss, win the trophy? Well, that statement may sound unfair but that's the truth. Dubai has favoured the chasing teams in this edition of the T20 World Cup. In the 12 games played here so far, only once a team has defended a score. But, in the night games, no team has defended a score yet. Dew usually has played a major role but in the last semi-final, there wasn't much dew. Still, toss is going to be very critical as the captain winning it would prefer chasing.

The 'nice guys' of world cricket, New Zealand, surprisingly tend to find the tag of 'underdogs' attached to them at the start of many major ICC tournaments. But their performance paints a different picture altogether. Since 2011, they have reached the semi-finals of all the ODI World Cups and reached the finals twice. Their performance in the T20 World Cup hasn't been all that great, but given their talent, it is no surprise that they are here in the finale. The last time the Kiwis played in a World Cup final, the match went into overtime and New Zealand lost by the barest of margins and they would want to change that. The Kiwis won the World Test Championship a few months ago and would want to finish 2021 on a high by winning here. Will Kane Williamson lead the Blackcaps to their first-ever World Cup win? Time will tell.

The Australian team is a powerhouse of cricketing talent. They have won more ODI World Cups than any other team and had probably the strongest Test teams back in the day. But somehow, the T20 format is not the one where they have excelled. Their best performance in the T20 World Cup came back in 2010 when they reached the final but then lost against England. Given the quality of cricketers in Australia, their performance in previous editions of the competition was always a surprise. But that changed in this edition. This Australian team was not the favourites leading up to the tournament, but they have played like champions. The Aussies have done well in all three departments and they have found new match-winners in each of their clashes. Will Finch and co cross this final hurdle and become the first bunch of male Australian cricketers to lay their hands on this trophy?

Group stage - done. Super 12s - done. Two exciting semi-finals - done. Now, the next 40 overs will see a new team lift the T20 World Cup trophy. It is the trans-Tasman rivalry between New Zealand and Australia and one of these teams will be crowned the World Champions. We are more than excited and surely, you all are too for what promises to be an exciting finale. With that, a very warm welcome to our coverage and thank you for joining us.

... FINALE TIME ...