Dutch team unable to defend record score against Zimbabwe
Published at 20 June, 2023Halfway through the match, the Orange team had high hopes for the win: at the Harare Sports Club it had just equalled its record score of 315. In just over forty overs, however, Zimbabwe put an end to all illusions on the lifeless pitch.
The Netherlands started off with only two seamers, Van Beek and De Leede, so left Kingma on the bench, also having to miss the four county seamers Klaassen, Glover, Van der Gugten and Van Meekeren. On the other hand there were plenty of spin options, with Vikram as extra option as handy medium pacer.
Zimbabwe chose to field first. The first boundaries for the Netherlands came in the third and fourth over, when Max O’Dowd characteristically profited from some width outside off with three nicely timed drives.
The initially slow powerplay was saved when Zimbabwe put on Madhevere whose over went for 16 (57/0/10). Moments later, Chatara was also dealt with harshly. The result was 100/0/17.
The breakthrough for Zimbabwe came in the 21st over. Via bat and pad the bail spiralled to the floor (120/1, O’Dowd 59). Playing his trusted sweeps and reverse sweeps captain Scott Edwards made sure that the run rate did not slip. The 200 was reached in the 36th over before Vikram was caught on deep mid wicket for a well-made 88 (223/3).
Saqib (34 not out) and Edwards (a brilliant 83) made a swift 59 run partnership for the sixth wicket. The Dutch equalled their record of 315 runs which was made in 2007 against Bermuda.
Zimbabwe innings
There was a chance in the second over when keeper Noah Croes, a temporary substitute for the injured Edwards, missed opener Gumbie off van Beek's bowling.
Ervine (50) had just made 121 against Nepal. Vikram Singh was unlucky when Ervine was dropped off his bowling. A bit later a second chance was taken by the same combination: ct Floyd b Singh (80/1).
Soon after, Gumbie was given a third life. It wasn't until 40 that Shariz Ahmad Gumbie got him with a googly (142/2). Sean Williams was without a doubt the batsman to eliminate. However, he batted with apparent ease. When even the usually excellent fielder Van Beek grounded a difficult chance, it was 162/2/24. That drop was not expensive as Floyd took his second catch, this time off Shariz Ahmad’s bowling (162/3).
Zimbabwe was 'cruising' but in the end Bas de Leede had success with a short ball; the top edge of Williams (91) disappeared into the safe hands of Teja Nidamanuru. A glimmer of hope for the Netherlands: 246/4. However, Raza and Burl felt like a fish in water on the batsman’s paradise. Raza was dropped and kept the points in the home country with the fastest 100 ever for Zimbabwe off only 54 balls.
Still – apart from the many dropped catches - this was an exceptional effort by the Netherlands without the county players; it lacked sheer pace on the flat pitch.
Photo credit: ICC/Getty
