Cricket News - England are ICC World Twenty20 Champions 2010
Last updated 24/05/2010 09:18:09
England are ICC World Twenty20 Champions 2010
A Twenty20 World Cup and an Ashes series couldn't be more different but there is no doubt that England's win over the Aussies in Barbados will have its effect.
Suddenly England have regained their pride and being Champions of the World by overcoming the favourites in such style will do no harm at all to England as they approach the Australians for a home test series – even if they have tugged the tiger's tail.
These were the two best teams in the Caribbean and provided a superb final at the Kensington Oval – their favourite ground outside the UK.
There was no fluke about the triumph, recorded with wickets and overs to spare and they were better than the Australians in every prime aspect of the game.
They will, of course, be two different sides come the first test but there are enough in the short game squad to carry that feel good factor through the nub of the summer as captain Paul Collingwood passes the baton on to Andrew Strauss.
One common factor to both teams is Kevin Pietersen who was named man of the series and still found time to charm all the female cricket fans out there by flying home before the semi final to witness the birth of his first child.
He came back grinning from ear to ear and built the victory with fellow South African born Craig Kieswetter with their century partnership for the second wicket and his joy at winning when he raced onto the pitch after his skipper Paul Collingwood had hit the winning room.
Pietersen shares the major share of the honours with skipper Collingwood, who guided the team so well even if his own batting form suffered, and coach Andy Flower's attention to detail and his tactics for every opposition batsman.
Then, of course, there is Graeme Swann, probably the best spinner in the world at the moment, as well as a prime source of the spirit awash in the England dressing room.
All four will, of course, be involved in the Ashes series.
Collingwood said afterwards: "It's right up there, it's got to be. This is our first World Cup we've ever won and the boys deserve it.
"We've put a lot of hard work and effort in and the boys are absolutely thrilled we put that performance in."
England had lost four previous finals in the 35-year history of one-day international tournaments, but became favourites to win Sunday's showdown after reducing Australia to 8-3.
England bowled and fielded superbly to limit Australia's powerful batting line-up to 147-6 and then cruised to victory with three overs to spare after Craig Kieswetter and Kevin Pietersen put on 111 for the second wicket.
Collingwood, who hit the winning run, attributed the improvements in his team to hard work.
He added: "We've got some good players in the side, we've a great work ethic over the past year and we're starting to see the results on the pitch.
"There's a lot of confidence in the side; you can see the belief that we've got going out on the pitch.
"The power that we've got, the thought processes the bowlers are using, the fielding, everything seems to be stronger."
Pietersen was named player of the tournament after scoring 248 runs in six matches, including 47 in England's victory in the final, praised his team-mates.
"It's been a pretty interesting week for me," said the 29-year-old batsman," I had a little kid on Monday and this trophy here.
"But this trophy goes to all the lads. They support each other and share each other's success.
"The more you play, the more you win and the more it becomes a habit, like the great Australians.
"This team is hungry for success, we want to win."
Kieswetter, who was named man of the match for his 63 off 49 deliveries, won a trophy in his first competition as part of England's Twenty20 team.
The Somerset wicketkeeper-batsman said: "It's been a great experience. To play against the Australians in the final makes it all much better."
Through gritted teeth Australian captain Michael Clarke said through gritted teeth: "I think you've got to give credit to England, they outplayed us. We tried our best, we just got outplayed today.
"The way England were playing, we probably needed 200. They've had a wonderful tournament."
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