Mitch Marsh cracks 77*, David Warner 53 and Josh Hazlewood claims three wickets as Aaron Finch's side defeat the Kiwis with ease
Dubai: New Zealand 172-5, Australia 173-2 - Australia won by eight wickets
Australia made light work of New Zealand to clinch their first men's T20 World Cup title after an eight-wicket win in Dubai.
Half-centuries from David Warner (53) and Mitch Marsh (77*) saw the five-time 50-over champions reach the target of 173 with seven balls to spare.
Kane Williamson had earlier struck a majestic 85 to propel the Kiwis to 172 for 5 from their 20 overs but it was never likely to be enough.
Some frugal bowling, particularly from Josh Hazlewood (3 for 16) laid the platform for a simple Aussie win.
Warner and Marsh put on 92 for the second wicket and though the former was bowled by Trent Boult, the stand broke the back of the chase and the resolve of the Black Caps, who were beaten for the second time in a global ICC limited-overs tournament final in three years.
Following a 12-month delay to the competition and a new venue being enlisted, the men's T20 World Cup had finally reached its climax.
Thanks to the semi-final exits of England and Pakistan we were also assured of a first-time winner and a sixth different champion in seven editions of the tournament.
Kane Williamson gave New Zealand hope with a fine innings
Seven completed versions of the women's World T20 has seen just three champions in the form of England, West Indies and five-time champions Australia.
Aaron Finch's side were bidding to emulate their female counterparts, while New Zealand were eyeing a second piece of silverware in 2021 having already clinched the inaugural World Test Championship.
Regrettably, the absence of India or Pakistan - who built a decent fanbase across 10 years of playing international cricket in the United Arab Emirates - meant this global final was played in front of a half-full crowd at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
Yet anyone who was there saw a memorable occasion created by these Trans-Tasman rivals.
With all nine of the night matches in Dubai won by the chasing team, it was significant that Australia won the toss and inserted their opponents.
And they converted that advantage after restricting New Zealand to 32 for 1 from the opening six overs, their lowest powerplay score in the tournament.
It meant the Kiwis had to try and set a total faced with four overs of the formidable Adam Zampa.
T20 WORLD CUP TEAM GUIDES
In the form of the dominant Williamson, New Zealand had a performer fitting of the occasion.
The skipper came into the tournament with various injuries and admitted to still being hindered by a long-term elbow problem.
But there was no evidence of such problems during a record-equalling knock of 85 which included 13 boundaries.
It was the matchup with Mitchell Starc that proved particularly fruitful. The left-arm quick went for 19 in the 11th over which included Josh Hazelwood dropping the ball at deep fine leg, with Williamson on 21.
Glenn Maxwell was dispatched for two sixes before Starc returned for a brutal 16th that included a quartet of fours and another maximum from New Zealand's inspirational leader.
He would eventually fall to Hazlewood for the joint-highest score in a men's T20 World Cup final, tieing with Marlon Samuels from 2016.
Jimmy Neesham produced another fine cameo with 13 off seven as New Zealand scored 23 off the final two overs.
Josh Hazlewood put a catch down but claimed three wickets
Set marginally below the 177 they chased to beat Pakistan (with an over to spare) on the same ground three days ago, it was advantage Australia at the change of innings.
From the outset, in the reply New Zealand were unable to create scoreboard pressure as Australia got off to the perfect start.
They lost captain Finch but fellow opener Warner was seeing it like a beachball, playing low-risk shots and putting pressure on fielders with intense running between the wickets to put Australia in complete control.
He was ably assisted by Mitch Marsh who from the moment he flicked Adam Milne's first ball for six looked comfortable amid the high-octane circumstances.
Warner mashed a six to reach his third fifty of the tournament and though he was bowled by Boult there was no feeling that the dismissal was anything other than a bump in the road, as March brought up his own milestone by clearing the rope himself.
The remainder of the chase was completed without further alarm with William's lieutenants unable to rouse themselves one last time. Australia will now attempt to defend the elusive crown in 12 months time on home soil.
Many of Australia's squad, including Warner, Steve Smith, Starc, Hazlewood, Matthew Wade and Pat Cummins now return home for the small matter of the Ashes against England which provides them with an opportunity to claim a second success of 2021.
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