Told Langer few months ago that Warner will be man of the tournament: Finch

Australia`s Aaron Finch (L) and teammate David Warner (R) celebrate after each scored a century (100 runs) during the first one day international (ODI) cricket match of a three-match series between India and Australia at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on 14 January, 2020AFP

Australia skipper Aaron Finch revealed that he had called coach Justin Langer a few months ago to tell him not to worry about opening batter David Warner's form ahead of the T20I World Cup.

Warner was going through a lean patch before the start of the World Cup but the opener played important knocks in crunch games to help Australia lift the maiden T20I World Cup title.

"You didn't expect that (Warner winning the Man of the Tournament)? I certainly did. Without a word of a lie, I promise you, I called Justin Langer a few months ago and said, "Don't worry about Davey, he'll be man of the tournament," Finch said in the post-match press conference as per ICC.

Australia's David Warner poses with the Player of the Tournament trophy at the end of the ICC men’s Twenty20 World Cup final match between Australia and New Zealand at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai on 14 November, 2021
AFP

"I thought Adam Zampa should have been Man of the Tournament personally, but he's a great player. He's one of the all-time great batters. And he's a fighter.

"He's someone who when his back is against the wall, that's when you get the very, very best of David Warner. It was a special finish to the tournament for him, the last couple of knocks," he added.

New Zealand went down by eight wickets in the ICC men's T20I World Cup Final as Williamson's stylish innings of 85 proved in vain in Dubai on Sunday.

Finch described the feeling of winning the maiden T20I World Cup title as "awesome" and said the victory is great for Australian cricket.

"Yeah, it's awesome, it really is. I think there's been so much talk about this being the one that's been elusive to Australia. And to be fair, we probably underperformed in the past, if we are being honest with ourselves," said Finch.

Australia's David Warner (L) hits a six as New Zealand's wicketkeeper Tim Seifert watches during the ICC men’s Twenty20 World Cup final match between Australia and New Zealand at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai on 14 November, 2021
AFP

"We've had some great teams along the way. This team is pretty special. The camaraderie, the way that everyone really cares for each other and looks after each other, looks out for each other; pretty special. So yeah, it's awesome. That's brilliant and it's great for Australian cricket," he added.

New Zealand scored a competitive-looking total of 172 for four but Mitchell Marsh's aggressive unbeaten 77 coupled with David Warner's fifty, propelled Australia to their maiden triumph in the men's T20I World Cup.