'What class': Kiwi skipper applauded over brilliant World Cup act

There aren't many more gracious losers in world cricket than Kane Williamson and the class of the New Zealand captain has once again shone through after his side's latest heartbreaking World Cup defeat.

Australia maintained their stranglehold over the Kiwis in major cricket matches after an emphatic eight-wicket victory in the final of the T20 World Cup in Dubai.

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In easily his finest moment as an Australian cricketer, allrounder Mitch Marsh pounded an unbeaten 77 from 50 balls to help chase down the Black Caps' 4-173 with seven balls to spare.

David Warner also starred, his 53 from 38 deliveries helping him claim player of the tournament ahead of legspinner Adam Zampa.

It meant another gut-wrenching defeat for Williamson's men, who also lost the one-day World Cup final to the Aussies in 2015, while also finishing runner-up to England in 2019.

Despite the controversial nature of that defeat to England, Williamson was praised for his sportsmanship in the aftermath of his side's disappointment.

So it was again in Dubai as the cricket world hailed the Black Caps skipper after a wonderful moment with his Sunrisers Hyderabad teammate, Warner.

Williamson replaced Warner as the IPL team's captain last season when the Aussie was sensationally dropped from the starting XI.

However, the Kiwi skipper was one of the first to come over and congratulate Warner on the World Cup triumph, looking genuinely delighted for his Aussie rival as he smiled and shook his friend's hand.

The wonderful scenes lit up social media as fans applauded Williamson's grace in defeat.

Williamson had put his side firmly in contention to end its World Cup hoodoo with a magnificent 85 runs from 48 balls, to help the Kiwis set an imposing total.

The captain's knock was not enough to deny the Aussies, however, with the often maligned Marsh answering his critics with one of the innings of his life.

Marsh shared in a 92-run stand with Warner for the second wicket to set up the biggest chase in World Cup final history, ending Australia's 14-year hunt for the T20 title.

He finished the game with 10 boundaries - including four sixes - before a Glenn Maxwell (28 not out from 18) switch hit sealed the deal.

"I just wanted to get out there and have a presence," Marsh said.

The big chase came after Josh Hazlewood had earlier been Australia's best with the ball, claiming 3-16 and sending down 14 dot balls in three powerplay overs.

But his bad drop of Williamson threatened to prove costly, when he put the New Zealand skipper down on 21 at fine leg.

It prompted an explosion from the Black Caps, as Williamson took 19 off that Mitchell Starc over and 22 off another with the left-arm quick struggling to hit his length and finishing on 0-60.

Hazlewood, Pat Cummins (0-27) and Adam Zampa (1-26) were miserly in comparison, allowing Australia's batters to create history.

with AAP

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