Watson ton takes Australia to title

Shane Watson's best innings at international level, a century that earned him the Man-of-the-Match award in back-to-back Champions Trophy finals, was critical to Australia's win.

Australia were struggling at 6 for 2 in their chase of 201, when Watson was joined by Cameron White. When the pair got together, Watson went into the Test-match mode, playing out the top two bowlers as if in the first session on a green top under overcast skies. Once both the opening bowlers were taken off, Watson turned it on to take the game away from New Zealand. He was lethally good with the horizontal bat, launching two powerful sixes to midwicket, and with the straight bat he mostly went down and along the ground. From 7 off 28 he motored along to 49 off 72 by 25th over. The momentum wrested, Watson took the back seat, and allowed White get into action.

He then switched gears once White was dismissed - the pair added 128 - and again took charge, while receiving good support from James Hopes when victory was near. Seven runs were needed for Australia to win the game, and for Watson to reach his second-successive century. He ensured both were achieved, as he smashed Jeetan Patel for two huge sixes to seal Australia's second ICC Champions Trophy title.