Netherlands pulled off one of the greatest shocks in ICC ODI World Cup history as they defeated South in Dharamsala to throw the group stage of the competition wide open. Many were debating the level of upset involved after the Afghanistan national cricket team beat holders England on Sunday in terms of where it sits but this Dutch win has surely eclipsed that. South Africa came into the game looking right up there with India as the tournament’s strongest looking team having won their opening two matches by over a hundred runs compiling scores of 428 and 311 in the process but the Netherlands are quickly becoming a bogey team for the Proteas. Remember they put an end to their T20 World Cup campaign in Australia last year by beating them in the group stage, sometimes lightning does strike twice.
The Dutch Start Off Slow
Rain delayed the start of the match reducing the contest to 43 overs per side and things looked to be going to form in the early exchanges after South Africa won the toss and elected to bowl first. At 50 for 4 after 15.1 overs the Dutch team looked to have a mountain climb as imposing as the snow capped peaks that overlook the stunning venue which sits at the edge of the Himalayas. Wickets were shared between all of South Africa’s seamers to leave the Netherlands cricket team 112 for 6 and when Keshav Mahraraj got Logan van Beek stumped with 9.1 overs remaining the Proteas would have had little concern with the score at 140 for 7.
A Late Spark From The Netherlands Batters
Netherlands produced a rousing end to their batting performance though that would give them momentum and confidence with the ball. A combination of wicket keeper Scott Edwards who made a brilliant 78 not out supported by cameos from Roelof van der Merwe and Aryan Dutt heralded 105 runs from those final 9.1 overs to lift them to a competitive 245 for 8. Edwards would later be named player of the match.
The Proteas Struggle To Reply
The South Africa national cricket team made a stuttering start to their reply, in form Quinton de Kock after two consecutive centuries fell to off spinner Colin Ackerman for 20 before former South Africa player van der Merwe came back to haunt his old team with the first of two wickets when he bowled skipper Temba Bavuma for 16, when he got rid of Rassie van der Dussen South Africa were reeling on 44 for 4 with its much vaunted top order back in the pavilion. David Miller started a rebuild with Heinrick Klassen before both fell victim to van Beek as he added 3 wickets to his useful batting contribution. On Miller’s departure for 43 the game looked gone for South Africa, only a last wicket partnership of 41 largely thanks to a good hand of 40 from 37 balls from Maharaj saved them from a real hammering, the victory margin was still a very comfortable 38 runs however. A convincing and brilliant win for the Netherlands that nobody really saw coming.
Result
Netherlands 245 for 8 (Edwards 78 not out) beat South Africa 207 (Miller 43, Mahraj 40, van Beek 3 for 60) by 38 runs.
