Why New Zealand Struggled in the T20 World Cup Final
Mainly things went wrong for New Zealand against Australia in the T20 World Cup final. Williamson and his team were enthusiastic and held a comfortable position before the final was turned against them. The key difference in this final was the pitch, which lacked the conditions that the New Zealand team was used to. In this article, we will delve deeper into what went wrong, focusing on the pitch and the overall factors that influenced the outcome.
The Role of the Pitch in the Final
The cricket pitch played a critical role in the T20 World Cup, and the two semifinals as well. Teams won or lost based on their batting position, rather than their performance. The New Zealand team, under Kane Williamson, had a strong showing in the second half of the tournament, with a successful T20I season. However, in the final, the conditions favored the team batting second.
Previously, in the majority of the matches, teams batting second had an advantage, often due to the variables in the conditions. Teams batting second tended to chase targets more easily, thanks to the strategic decisions made based on the toss. However, the final matches turned out differently, with all teams batting second winning. The game’s outcome depended heavily on the dry pitch and the dew factor, which made it easier for both teams to play strokeplay. This is evident from the high scoring nature of the three concluding matches, with 186 runs scored by England, 176 by Pakistan, and New Zealand setting a target of 173.
Impact of Pitch on New Zealand's Performance
The pitch in the final didn't hold any 'devils,' meaning it lacked the conditions that the New Zealand team was accustomed to. This unfamiliarity proved to be quite disadvantageous for the Kiwis. England's performance against New Zealand in the final was a testament to this, as England's bowlers managed to bowl New Zealand out for a relatively low score. The absence of such conditions meant the New Zealand bowlers struggled to find the right pace and bounce, leading to a disastrous team performance.
Specifically, the pitch in the final was dry and offered a perfect wicket for batting. The ball stayed true, making it easier for both teams to play. Despite the strong performances of Kane Williamson and Martin Guptill, they could not overcome the lack of support from the bowlers. In the second over, Shaheen Afridi bowled the Australian batters, particularly David Warner, who played a stellar innings, while Steve Smith and Mitchell Marsh also contributed significantly with their respective 75 and 40. The pitch, in its dry condition, offered no hindrances, and the bowlers struggled to find any turning or bounce. The dew factor also played a crucial role, as the New Zealand team, batting last, found it increasingly difficult to defend the target.
Historical Context and New Zealand's Performance Against Australia
The problem of New Zealand consistently struggling against Australia in all formats of the game, including T20, is well-documented. Historically, Australia has often had a significant edge over New Zealand in the T20 format, and it has been a challenging series for New Zealand to navigate. Despite their recent home series victory against Australia, captained by Michael Hussey, New Zealand has struggled to find consistent match wins in this format. The conditions of the T20 World Cup final were no different, with the pitch conditions making it even more difficult for the New Zealand team.
In conclusion, the final match of the T20 World Cup can be attributed to the pitch conditions, which favored the batting side. While New Zealand performed well in the second half of the tournament, the final match highlighted the importance of adapting to the specific conditions of the pitch. It is crucial for the New Zealand team to work on their adaptability and find ways to outmaneuver the Australian bowlers in similar conditions in the future.