WTC final: 3 New Zealand players who created an impact
Even the dicey England weather may have wanted to showcase the grandeur of the New Zealand team as they turned back the clock to play Test cricket in the traditional manner and clinch the maiden WTC title.
New Zealand began the final day of the WTC final knowing that 98 overs stood between them and a chance at creating history. The Black Caps were set a target of 139 and when they lost both their openers with the score reading 44 in 17 overs, they may have been forgiven for thinking that history was repeating itself.
The Kiwis have bitter memories of previous ICC tournament finals. They finished runners-up at the 2019 ODI World Cup losing to hosts England on the boundary count and were second-best in the 2015 World Cup final to Australia.
The Black Caps’ previous ICC triumph also came against India when Stephen Fleming led them to victory at the 2000 Champions Trophy. But on the WTC final’s reserve day on Wednesday, the Black Caps battled their demons as the experience of Ross Taylor and Kane Williamson shone through.
We take a look at the three players who tilted the WTC final in their favor.
Devon Conway
The left-handed opener had come into the summit clash on the back of a scintillating debut series against England. After smacking a double century in his maiden Test innings at Lord's, 29-year-old went on to peel off another 80 in the first innings of the second Test at Edgbaston.
Conway took his form into the first innings of the WTC final, scoring a resilient 50 to give New Zealand a solid start. He also laid a relatively secure platform in the Kiwis’ second innings for Ross Taylor and Kane Williamson to finish the job.
Kyle Jamieson
The Man of the Match of the WTC final bagged a five-for in the first innings and then jolted India with the wickets of Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara in the first 40 minutes of Day 6.
The towering all-rounder also smacked an important 21 in the first innings, which helped New Zealand break ahead and eventually end with a lead of 32 runs that proved crucial in the end.
At the post-match presentations, Jamieson said:
"It was nice to get the ball first up and to play a part, I guess. The work that Tim [Southee], Trent [Boult] do, I just ride in on the back of that. It was good to bowl in the [RCB] nets to him [Virat Kohli] and to be here and go up against him over the last six days was awesome."
Tim Southee
There is no substitute for experience and Tim Southee's performance in the WTC final was a testament to this. He did not start entirely well in the first innings and took some time to find his radar. However, once he found his groove, he put on an absolute masterclass in seam and swing bowling.
After picking up just one wicket in the first innings, Southee prized out the wickets of Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma in the second innings to set India back. He then came back to wipe out the tail and accounted for Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah's wickets.
With the bat, Southee used the long handle to great effect on a difficult pitch. He added 30 runs, which were absolutely crucial in New Zealand stretching their lead and eventually winning the title.