New Zealand entered the finals of the 2021 T20 World Cup by defeating England by 5 wickets in the finals. Kiwi opener Daryl Mitchell was the star of the day as he scored 72 runs from 47 balls to help his team cross the line. There was also another reason why he won many hearts on Wednesday. In this article, we take a look at how Twitter reacted to Daryl Mitchell‘s act of sportsmanship of refusing a single in the final overs despite his team being under pressure.
New Zealand enter the finals of the 2021 T20 WC
Batting first, England made 166 runs despite a slow start. Moeen Ali’s aggression helped the ODI champions to get to a defendable total. The English bowlers started well, removing Martin Guptill and Kane Williamson early. Devon Conway and Daryl Mitchell did well to build the score, but they had to score quickly in the end. James Neesham did that job. He scored 27 runs from 11 deliveries and was a major difference. With this, the Kiwis entered their first-ever T20 WC final.
Twitter reacts to Daryl Mitchell’s act of sportsmanship
In the 18th over of the innings, James Neesham was facing Adil Rashid for the first ball. There was an opportunity to run a single, but Daryl Mitchell denied it because he came in the way of the spinner. This was despite the team still needing 34 runs. Hence, Twitter was impressed with the Kiwi opener’s gesture of sportsmanship.
Daryl Michell: 34 from 18 needed, immense pressure, turns down a single when he gets in the fielder's way.
— Peter Clinton (@PeterClinton5) November 10, 2021
Also Daryl Mitchell: 73 from 48 balls, blasts @BLACKCAPS into the #T20WorldCup Final. #ENGvNZ
Daryl Mitchell didn't take a run because he came in the way of Adil Rashid. pic.twitter.com/r9v4oLd14u
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) November 10, 2021
If there is a spirit of cricket award, it should be given to Daryl Mitchell. He refused to take a single because he felt he got into Adil Rashid's way when the chase was still very tight. Sportsmanship at its very best!
— Shehzad Ghias Shaikh (@Shehzad89) November 10, 2021
That denial of single by Daryl Mitchell in Rashid over, for me he won the match there itself, True sportsmanship👏👏👏 #NZvENG #T20WC
— Vasanth (@krish_vasanth) November 10, 2021
Though Neesham Turned The Match, New Zealand’s Win Was Sealed When Daryl Mitchell Rejected A Single Of Adil Rashid When There Was Clearly A Run There !!
— Analyst (@BoAnalyst) November 10, 2021
It’s All About Character !!
Next Ball, Neesham Scored A Six Off Rashid !!#T20WorldCup #ENGvNZ !!
Daryl Mitchell refused to take the single after he blocked the path of Adil Rashid unintentionally and then wins the game for Newzealand in the penultimate over 🤝✨
— Diganta Das (@Diggu33) November 10, 2021
Sportsmanship at its very best 🙌💯
Ice in the veins, what a king 👑❤️#T20WorldCup #LiveTheGame #ENGvsNZ pic.twitter.com/xdOhpzIuLv
The moment of the match for me was Daryl Mitchell refusing to run a single because he thought he'd obstructed Rashid (bowler) from stopping the ball. In a WC Semi !
— Sanket D. Patil (@sankulyaa) November 10, 2021
NZ cricket for you.❤️🤝 #ENGvNZ
Daryl Mitchell denying the single as he got in Rashid's way
— Tanveer Shehzad (@Tanveer9009) November 10, 2021
Gentle man's game for a reason#ENGvsNZ
Daryl Mitchell respect. Could've taken that easy single. #SpiritofCricket
— Vignesh Nanda Kumar (@VigneshNandaKu5) November 10, 2021
A team that you can never hate.
— Gagan Paliwal (@gaganhindi) November 10, 2021
That single denied by Daryl Mitchell,that karma back 2019worldcup catch of boult,now to bairstow.
World class kiwis play by their hearts. ❤️#NZvENG
Remember Daryl Mitchell declined that single from Neesham when he got in the way of Adil Rashid at the non-striker's end.
— Annesha Ghosh (@ghosh_annesha) November 10, 2021
What a guy. What a team.#NZ | #T20WorldCup | #ENGvNZ
Don't forget Daryl Mitchell rejected a single in the 18th over of the semi final game when the game was still in England's favour because he thought he impeded Rashid from collecting the ball.
— Adwait Kulkarni (@I_Sherlocked) November 10, 2021
The nice guys of Cricket for a reason. #NZvENG #T20WorldCup #NZ
