#OTD in 2010: England claim maiden ICC title at the expense of Ashes rivals

After years of 'so close yet so far moments', England's men's cricket team finally managed to lay their hands on an ICC trophy on this very day in 2010 when they beat Ashes rivals Australia to claim the T20 World Cup in the Caribbean.

T20 World Cups have always ended up throwing surprises. Across the seven editions held thus far, none of the pre-tournament favourites have emerged victorious.

In the first two editions, Australia (in 2007) and India (in 2009) went in as pre-tournament favourites but ended nowhere near the title.

Come 2010; no pundit had given Paul Collingwood's men a chance to claim the holy grail. Remember, the England white-ball revolution was still some time away.

Before the tournament, defending champions Pakistan and hosts West Indies were tipped as prime contenders. Still, in the end, the Ashes rivals- England and Australia- defeated everyone in their sight to set up a summit clash at the Kensington Oval in Barbados.

England made their way to the final on the back of some impressive performances from the likes of Craig Kieswetter, Ryan Sidebottom, Kevin Pietersen and Graeme Swann, that helped them swat aside Pakistan (by six wickets), South Africa (by 39 runs) and New Zealand (by three wickets) and Sri Lanka (by seven wickets) in the Super-8s and the semis.

Remember, England got off to a poor start to their campaign as they were thumped by hosts West Indies (by eight wickets) in their campaign opener, while the game against Ireland ended in a no-result.

Australia, meanwhile, were as ruthless as ever, thumping Pakistan, Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, West Indies, and defending champions Pakistan- courtesy of a barely believable assault from Mike Hussey- to set up a finals date with the 'Old Enemy'.

The Big Final

England got off to a perfect start to the final as they sent the in-form opening duo of David Warner and Shane Watson packing in the first two overs.

While Warner was brilliantly run-out by Michael Lumb, Sidebottom (2/26 in 4) got rid of both Watson and Haddin to leave the Aussies gasping for breath at 8/3.

David Hussey scored a 54-ball 59 while skipper Clarke scored a run-a-ball 27, but Swann's tight bowling during the middle-overs (1/17 in 4) meant that the batters couldn't break the shackles.

Cameron White (30 off 19) and Michael Hussey (17* off 10) provided the final flourish. Still, it was clear that Australia needed to take early wickets to have any chance of defending a modest 147.

Shaun Tait provided the Aussies with a perfect start as he dismissed Lumb for a 4-ball two, but that was about it.

Star opener Craig Kieswetter (63 off 49 deliveries) and Kevin Pietersen (47 off 31 deliveries) added 111 runs for the 2nd wicket in the next 12 overs.

The partnership knocked the stuffing out of the Aussies, and while Johnson and Smith did dismiss the duo, it was too little, too late as skipper Collingwood and future captain Eoin Morgan guided the 'Three Lions' to a seven-wicket win in the 17th over.

Kieswetter was adjudged 'Player of the Match' while KP was named 'Player of the Tournament', and it was fitting that an English captain hit the winning runs to end a 35-year drought. However, the fact that it came against the old enemy was a nice topping on the cake for the Englishmen.