Dutch women's team goes home with their heads held high
Published at 03 May, 2024The Dutch women's team has been eliminated at the World Cup qualifying tournament in Abu Dhabi. It had to beat group winner Ireland to reach the semifinals, but lost 144-90.
The calculator had been consulted beforehand to determine whether the Netherlands could also make it to the semi-finals in the event of a loss. The answer was no: Orange had to beat the Irish who had already qualified for the semifinals.
The Netherlands had a fantastic start when Caroline de Lange took a blinder with her right hand at mid on. Amy Hunter was the victim. Moments later, the combi Zwilling (bowling)/ Overdijk (catching) dismissed Gaby Lewis: 14/2!
The Dutch were on top and caught everything in this phase, witnessing the fine catch by Sterre Kalis at long on and the one by Iris Zwilling at square leg: 55/4/9.3.
Unfortunately for the Dutch Laura Delany (70 not out) did get away with two catching opportunities. Ireland recovered with a partnership of 89 for the fifth wicket.
The ground fielding was excellent, by Hannah Landheer, Silver Siegers and Carlijn van Koolwijk in particular. Iris Zwilling excelled with 2-13, Silver Siegers took 1-21. Caroline de Lange deserved better figures than 1-29. Ireland still managed 144/4.
Netherlands innings
A lot of runs in the Powerplay was the motto. The Netherlands partly succeeded in that set-up (Iris Zwilling 14) but lost three expensive wickets. Halfway through the innings it was 60/3.
Babette de Leede (20) and Heather Siegers (16) made a partnership of 31 runs for the fourth wicket. However, after 60/3 a collapse led to 73/8. After 17.3 overs, the Dutch were all out for 90.
The Netherlands finished with four points from four matches - as many as the UAE, but due to the heavy defeat against the host nation, the Dutch finished third on Net Run Rate. Only the top-2 go to the semi-finals.
Yet the Netherlands can go home with their heads held high. The win on Vanuatu was impressive and Zimbabwe was defeated for the second time.
Photo credit: ICC/Getty Images
