Netherlands miss chance in second ODI against New Zealand

In the fifth over, Martin Guptill was brilliantly caught by Bas de Leede in the covers off Fred Klaassen's bowling. One over later, the centurion of the first ODI, Will Young, was bowled by Van Beek via thigh pad and arm. In the eighth over, Van Beek struck again: Nicholls top edged a short ball to Vikram Singh.

The departing Ross Taylor could not make an impression when he was caught by Van Beek at backward point in the ninth. And one over later it was partytime again for the Dutch when Michael Bracewell, who performed so well in the warm-up games, hit a top edge to Klaassen. New Zealand were 32 for 5 after the first Powerplay.

The tactics of bowling short, criticized earlier by New Zealand ex-internationals Styris and Elliott, worked well on this pitch in Hamilton, which was significantly livelier.

Colin De Grandhomme immediately gave away a chance in the outfield that was dropped, but was dismissed in the 23rd over: 89/6. Doug Bracewell (41) supported his captain even better, until he was caught at long on by Glover: 179/7 in the fortieth over. Still all chances for the Orange to limit the score of the Kiwis.

Tom Latham, however, celebrated his thirtieth birthday with a fantastic innings. After reaching his century in the 44th over, he still had a number of overs to open his shoulders. He did so with conviction and the death bowlers bore the brunt of it. Latham finished with a monumental 140 not out off 123 balls.

The Blackcaps still managed 264/9. With consecutive partnerships of 57, 90 and 42, they had fought their way back into the game.

Fred Klaassen was great with 3-36 off ten overs and Logan van Beek the most successful seamer with 4-56. Left arm wristspinner Michael Rippon was economical with 1-45.

Innings Netherlands
Unfortunately for the Dutch, Stephan Myburgh (caught and bowled) got a leading edge in the first over. Disaster loomed for the Netherlands when Kyle Jamieson's very first delivery for Max O'Dowd lifted a bit and became a relatively easy prey for Martin Guptill at second slip.

Vikramjit Singh hit an uppercut (a carbon copy of his dismissal in the first ODI) into the hands of Sodhi, who spilled the chance. Singh was on the mark for a long time and batted patiently. He then hit Doug Bracewell for ten runs in the seventh over.

Singh and his partner Bas de Leede became a bit gutsier and found the boundary more often with beautiful shots, especially off the back foot.

Blair Tickner's 142 kilometres per hour did not stop Singh from hitting him over the top for four and then pulling him for four in front of square. Facing the 2.03 meter tall fastbowler Kyle Jamieson the batters also looked fine. They had a harder time with legspinner Ish Sodhi, who hid his googlies so well that they were difficult to read.

To his horror, Singh (31) hit a full toss of De Grandhomme into the hands of long on fielder Sodhi (81/3/16); a fine partnership of 77 of the two young players on a world-class attack. Moments later, Edwards hit a short ball from Tickner into the hands of the deep square leg (89/4) and Bas de Leede (top scoring with 37) hit one of Sodhi's googlies into the hands of the short mid wicket fielder (103/5).

The batting line-up of the Netherlands (Rippon 18) did not have enough depth to absorb these blows. The last five wickets fell for 43 runs, offspinner Michael Bracewell finishing with 3-21.

Where New Zealand had been able to build crucial partnerships, the Dutch middle order was unable to do so. A dream start as a fielding team, with the Blackcaps on 32/5 after the Powerplay, did not get a follow-up - unfortunately for the Orange fans.

The third and final ODI will be on Monday, April 4 at 04:00 AM Dutch time (CEST).