Kane Williamson hits fine 85 to guide New Zealand to 172 in T20 World Cup final

Kane Williamson’s sensational 85 off 48 balls went a long way to rescuing New Zealand to 172 for four after a sluggish start in their T20 World Cup final against Australia at Dubai.

The New Zealand captain has freely admitted he has been troubled by a longstanding elbow injury throughout the tournament but he was the unlikely hero, capitalising on being dropped on 21 to hammer 10 fours and three sixes.

His side had crawled to 57 for one at the halfway stage after losing what looked an important toss but Williamson cast off the shackles thereafter, with left-arm quick Mitchell Starc coming in for some heavy punishment.

While Josh Hazlewood was exemplary with his line and lengths and finished with three for 16, it was a hard day at the office for fellow fast bowler Starc, who was wicketless and conceded 60 runs.

This is a showpiece few expected, with New Zealand overcoming world number one ranked side England in Wednesday’s semi-final while Australia defeated tournament favourites Pakistan 24 hours later.

The event was therefore guaranteed a first-time winner and it seemed Australia gained a big edge after inviting New Zealand to bat, with teams who have fielded first under lights at this venue winning every time in the tournament.

There was the occasional moment of intent early on from Martin Guptill and Daryl Mitchell, New Zealand’s match-winner against England, but the latter’s downfall, caught behind from a Hazlewood leg-cutter, was the start of a period of inertia from the Black Caps.

Williamson took seven off his first 13 balls before taking back-to-back fours off Mitchell Marsh, but there was still the sense that New Zealand needed something special in the second half of their innings.

It came thanks to Williamson, who was given a major reprieve when Hazlewood spilled a catch off Starc in the deep. It was a costly drop in this match-up as Williamson took 39 off just 12 deliveries he faced from Starc.

Guptill holed out for a relatively sedate 28 off 35 balls but Williamson muscled two successive sixes over midwicket off Glenn Maxwell to bring up a 32-ball fifty.

Adam Zampa was excellent in taking one for 26, but New Zealand were on the charge by this point as Williamson took four fours – two genuine and two streaky – and a huge six in Starc’s third over.

Williamson shuffled across his stumps and scooped Hazlewood for four before slamming the seamer’s slower ball straight down the throat of Steve Smith stationed at long-off.

Starc finished with the worst bowling figures at a T20 World Cup final as New Zealand posted what looked a competitive total.