November 13 saw The Kangaroos life their first ever T20 World Cup trophy. Now, no trophy is missing from Australia’s ICC cabinet. The 2021 T20 WC triumph also washes away the scars of T20 WC 2014 and 2016’s humiliating group-stage exits.
Adam Zampa and David Warner played the pivots in taking Finch’s men to the ultimate finale. However, it was Josh Hazlewood and Marsh who helped Kangaroos actually clinch the title.
While Marsh repaid management’s faith with Player Of The Match worthy 50-ball-77, Hazlewood’s economical spell was equally stupendous. Not every night does a fast bowler take 3 wickets for 16 runs in T20 internationals. Not unless he’s Hazlewood in the T20 WC finale.
Aaron Finch credits Hazlewood’s IPL experience under MS Dhoni
But is also is to be noted that in IPL 2021, Josh Hazlewood played under MS Dhoni for CSK. He did pretty well with there, something which forced his way into playing 11 over Kane Richardson, an established T20 bowler.
“Honestly, his performance in IPL forced his way into the playing eleven over Kane Richardson, who is a wonderful T20 bowler. He [Hazlewood] was really important to our bowling group,” said Aaron Finch, reflecting the same.
Throughout the tournament, whenever Pat Cummins, Starc or Josh Hazlewood chose sticking to hard length in death overs or in powerplay… They took wickets. Or at least they didn’t get smashed around the park. However, as they went for yorkers and full ones, they got bludgeoned. Apparently, left-armer Mitchell Starc’s bowling in the finale is a prime example for the latter.
So, it wasn’t sixth sense from Cummo and Josh to stick to hard length in the ultimate finale. But that choice too rides on the back of the experience Josh gathered by playing for MS Dhoni’s Chennai Super Kings.
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Giving its partial credit to Hazlewood’s stint at CSK, here is what Kangaroo skipper, Aaron Finch, had to say:
“To be able to share his experience at the CSK was really important. The lengths to bowl, particularly at the end of the tournament where wickets started getting little bit more worn and hard lengths, which is Josh’s specialty was tough to hit [for the batsmen.] And it was really important he passed on that information.”