Dutch women get their act together against Namibia

Despite the 80 all out in the first match, the Netherlands opted to bat first after winning the toss. Sterre Kalis tried to play the pull shot, but the ball kept low - not for the first time. When her opening partner Babette de Leede hit the ball into the hands of the mid wicket fielder, the score was 21/2.

When Robine Rijke and Juliët Post were both caught, five wickets were down after ten overs. A repeat loomed of the Tuesday morning disaster.

However, a sixth wicket stand between Heather Siegers (41 off 40 balls) and Iris Zwilling (25 off 31) came to the rescue of the Dutch. Although the running between wickets was not brilliant, the partnership was crucial in reaching a better score than in the first match.

The fact that Heather was dropped five times also helped. Eventually the sixth attempt landed in the hands of the long off fielder. The Netherlands finished on 99/7.

The Netherlands started strongly. As in the first game, Iris Zwilling trapped opening batter Edelle Van Zyl in front. Marloes Braat, who played her last international match, had the pleasure of clean bowling the dangerous Yasmeen Khan with a beauty.

Silver Siegers took a fine catch at fine leg. When Iris Zwilling took her second wicket, Namibia faced a pretty hopeless 16/4 after five overs.

Now it was essential to push through. The first change immediately had the desired result when Silver Siegers caught Wittmann off her own bowling.

From the other end, too, a leggie was put in play: Caroline de Lange. With two magnificent deliveries, she dismissed Irene Van Zyl and Dietlind Foerster.

The Netherlands were on top and finished the game ruthlessly. Iris, Marloes and Silver took two wickets each, but the undisputed star was Caroline de Lange who took four wickets for six runs. Namibia 29 all out.

The first T20I that rained off on Monday will be played on Thursday 30 June at 11 AM at Voorburg CC.