Maiden ODI hundred Nidamanuru helps the Dutch past Zimbabwe in insane match
Published at 21 March, 2023The Netherlands have won the first Dafabet ODI against Zimbabwe in Harare in spectacular fashion. At 98/7, the hosts were in trouble, but thanks to big partnerships late in the innings, they still managed 249 runs. With an score of 64/5 in the 21st over, the Netherlands seemed to have no chance. A brilliant century from Teja Nidamanuru, well backed by Shariz Ahmad and Paul van Meekeren, brought the unlikely turnaround: 255/7 on the penultimate ball.
The interim coaches (Ryan Cook is active in the IPL) opted for Musa Ahmad, Teja Nidamanuru, Shariz Ahmad and Brandon Glover, with Bas de Leede injured and Roelof van der Merwe back to England due to a family issue. Zimbabwe's side were missing Sean Williams at the last minute, who was not feeling well.
After winning toss, the Netherlands got off to a fantastic start with plenty of swing for both seamers Paul van Meekeren and Fred Klaassen. The latter struck in the third over when he got Ervine caught behind (13/1), followed by Van Meekeren who got Gary Ballance (caught by Shariz Ahmad at backward point, 18/2/4). In the eighth Innocent Kaia became a victim of a lifting delivery from Van Meekeren that ended up in the hands of Colin Ackermann at second slip. The Powerplay ended with 45/3.
Glover caused Madhevere's run out. Scott Edwards was then able to catch Sikander Raza on the legside, but the otherwise reliable wicketkeeper dropped the opportunity. Still, Glover picked up his only wicket; after two wides, Ryan Burl chased another wide and was caught behind: 70/5/13.
In the absence of the injured Bas de Leede, Vikram Singh was used as an extra seamer. The multi-talent did very well (1-11 in five overs). He even took the important wicket from superstar Raza (22) in the nineteenth over when Shariz Ahmad grabbed a brilliant running catch at deep square leg: 81/6/18. A short time later, Shariz came into in the attack and miraculously bowled Brad Evans who saw a failed sweep roll against his stumps.
It was 98/7, but taking the eighth wicket proved to be a more difficult hurdle. Captain Edwards faced a dilemma: bring back the best seamers and take the last three wickets, or hope the spinners would do the trick and if not, save the seamers for the final overs. He initially opted for the latter and when Klaassen came back in the 32nd, the batsmen were already settled. They made a partnership of 70 for the eighth wicket before Masakadza was finally run out by Shariz for a career-best 34.
The arrival of Richard Ngarava led to even more mischief for the Dutch. His 35 off 27 balls meant a partnership of another 66 runs for the ninth wicket. The 22-year-old Clive Madande (74) had already reached his first ODI half century. Zimbabwe finished on 249 thanks to this final sprint. Klaassen (3-41) bowled strongly, as did Van Meekeren (2-50).
Netherlands innings
On paper, the Netherlands was not without a chance. However, as the Dutch had already seen, the pitch was not so easy to bat on. Vikram Singh and Tom Cooper – both caught down leg by keeper Madande – soon experienced that (19/2). That the first Powerplay ended with a meagre 26/2 was the result of excellent bowling by the two seamers Ngarava and Muzarabani.
In the seventeenth over, O'Dowd (20) pulled a short one from Masakadza into the hands of the short mid wicket. Musa Ahmad and Scott Edwards were both adjudged LBW and there was no review option.
Ackermann and Nidamanuru provided the second most productive Dutch partnership (46 for the sixth wicket) before Ackermann (50) was bowled by Masakadza (3-25).
It looked like game, set and match for the hosts, but Teja Nidamanuru and Shariz Ahmad had other plans. Concentrated and confidently, they worked on a record partnership for the seventh wicket. Gradually, both batters gained more confidence. In the 44th over, Nidamanuru hit Burl for six twice. The over cost 17 runs. One over later, Nidamanuru was dropped twice by Masakadza who was fielding at long-off.
In the 47th over, the seventh wicket eventually fell. Shariz (30) wanted a second run, so that the outstanding Nidamanuru (now at 95) would keep the strike, but Nidamanuru sent him back: 220/7.
With a fantastic cameo Paul van Meekeren brought the win within reach. Although he was dropped in the covers, he provided Player of the Match Nidamanuru with the perfect support, scoring 21 runs off just nine balls. He finished the match on the penultimate ball in style, with a six over square leg - an unlikely result of a great match with varying odds. Nidamanuru ended with a monumental 110 not out.
Photo credit: Talent Zvanyanya/Zimbabwe cricket
