The seventh ICC Men’s T20 World Cup tournament has reached its climax as cricket’s most successful nation lifts its first T-20 trophy. Spectators returned to their homes after Australian Kangaroos beat New Zealand in a one-sided final at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday.
While the tournament was full of excitement, records, and predictions, overall it can be safely called the World Cup of luck instead of cricket. From the Indo-Pak thriller in the beginning to the final, the toss played a role so critical that whoever lost the toss, lost the match too.
It was yet another heartbreak for New Zealand, who emerged as the runner-ups of the event after losing to Australia by eight wickets in the final. For New Zealand, it was their third defeat in four international tournament finals over the last six years.
Although he lost the final, New Zealand captain Kane Williamson has proved that a good team does not need resources like an overrated cricket league, unnecessary propaganda, and millions of rupees annual salary, nor can excessive stardom be the key to success.
Unlike other hyped teams, the Kiwis don’t play aggressive cricket. Instead, game planning, patience, and smart cricket is their strength. Kane’s strategy was working fine for New Zealand but the toss got the best of them. Maybe that’s why Indian cricketer Amit Mishra hastily congratulated New Zealand for winning the T20 World Cup instead of Australia.
For the Australia men’s cricket team, it was their maiden T20 World Cup title, to go with a record five 50-over World Cup wins. But more than the title, it is the celebration of the Australian team that has become the talk of the town.
Australian players Matthew Wade and Marcus Stoinis were seen drinking the celebratory champagne in their shoes during the celebration. The cricket fans were surprised to see a viral video of this unique yet repulsive winning gesture. This act of putting alcohol in one’s shoes and drinking is called ‘shoey’ and you won’t be surprised to know that Australians themselves are inventors of it.
Matthew Wade and Marcus Stoinis followed in the footsteps of Australian F1 star Daniel Ricciardo and used Wade’s shoe as a wine glass. But they might have done it in the heat of the moment as Stoinis didn’t seem to enjoy the taste much and was heard saying “it’s a little shoddy.”
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