One team was utterly fearless and maintained a high intensity from first ball to last whilst sticking to its inherent attacking principles. They fielded like demons and were ruthless in executing their game plan. But this team was England and not Australia as it has been so often in the past. As such, we at the Reverse Sweep are now claiming sage like status for predicting England would win before the tournament. Well, you have to get one right eventually!
Maybe the amazing feats of Michael Hussey only 48 hours before had drained the Aussies? Whatever the reason for their lethargy, it was an inspired England who bossed the final from the three early Australian wickets to when captain Paul Collingwood smashed the winning runs off the dismal Shane Watson, who seemed to want his Mum such was the anguished and demoralised look on his face.
We may have moaned before the tournament that this World T20 came too soon after the last one in England less than a year ago, but we aren't complaining now despite the alcohol fuelled haze of this May Monday morning. England are utterly transformed from the team that famously lost to the Netherlands in last year's competition and skipper Collingwood and coach Andy Flower must take enormous credit for that as do the selectors for picking the right squad for once.
Until yesterday neither Michael Lumb or Craig Kieswetter had made a significant individual score but had continually given England the basis during the powerplay overs from which to set or chase. Michael Yardy was also an inspired pick. His 65mph darts aren't the most attractive but they were effective throughout the tournament despite Cameron White's best efforts yesterday. Finally, Ryan Sidebottom has proved the doubters wrong and his early wickets of Watson and Brad Haddin in the final gave England an early initiative they never lost. So that's four out of four for Geoff Miller and company.
Crucially, England's best batsman and most penetrating bowler were also at the top of their games throughout the tournament. Kevin Pietersen was back to his super-confident and arrogant best and deservedly won the Player of the Tournament award with 248 runs at 62 and a strike rate of 138. Meanwhile Graeme Swann took 10 wickets at 14 and had an excellent economy rate of 6.5. Both too played vital roles in the final.
Having restricted Australia to 147 for six, England appeared to be favourites but even so their supporters were nervous given Australia's tendency for rousing fightbacks and England's past propensity to wilt under pressure. But despite losing Lumb to Tait with the score on only 7, Pietersen and Kieswetter saw off the remainder of Tait's and Nannes' early blast with the new ball, and then started to tuck in to Mitchell Johnson, Steve Smith and especially the hapless Watson, who's three overs cost 42.
When 45 runs came from overs 11,12 and 13, the end was nigh for Australia with even Tait and Nannes taking punishment. By this time, England only required 30 for victory with eight overs to go and Kieswetter and Pietersen had added 111 for the second wicket. Pietersen then tried to hit Smith out of the ground, but only found David Warner. However, his job was done and Collingwood and Eoin Morgan guided England home after Kieswetter too lost his wicket attempting the extravagant. England won with three overs to spare, which represents a thrashing in T20 cricket.
So, finally, after thirty five years of trying, England have finally won an ICC limited overs world event and the country that gave cricket T20 has finally learnt how to play it. The hope for England fans is that they can maintain this new found penchant for limited overs cricket and capitalise on the psychological edge this could provide when the Ashes start in six months time.
But for now let's salute Paul Collingwood's world champions.
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