Netherlands miss unique opportunity for Series victory

Zimbabwe, batting first after winning the toss, got off to a smooth start (31/0/4) despite a run-out chance that would have cost Madhevere his wicket. Line and length of the generally accurate seamers Van Meekeren and Klaassen were not optimal in the initial phase. Ryan Klein – in the team for Brandon Glover – was immediately 'on target'. When Klaassen also regained some rhythm, the run rate decreased from nearly eight to just over five runs per over.

Still, Ervine and Madhevere built a partnership for the first wicket. At 61, Ervine (39) decided to reverse sweep Ackermann, who had just come into the attack (61/1/11). Gary Ballance often walked across the stumps and Van Meekeren saw his LBW shout rewarded (80/2).

Shariz Ahmad ensured even more Dutch success. First he got opening batsman Madhevere caught behind: 110/3. Two balls later, the same happened to Sikandar Raza, who – unlike keeper Edwards – did not read the googly and was dismissed for a duck. Burl was tricked by a loopy googly that he mistimed and hit into the hands of the point fieldsman (Ryan Klein, 120/5).

It was crucial to break the Williams/ Madande partnership now. However, that did not work out until the 41^st over, when Musa Ahmad caught Sean Williams (77) off the bowling of his brother Shariz (224/6); a partnership of 104 runs for the sixth wicket. Clive Madande (52) also played a fine knock. Despite brilliant bowling from Shariz Ahmad (5-43) and Ryan Klein (1-38 off 9.2), Zimbabwe once again managed a successful fightback: 271 all out.

Netherlands innings

Although Vikram Singh was ‘bitten’ on a number of occasions by beauties of the tall Muzarabani, he convincingly attacked Chatara. Because of this – and some magnificent cover drives by Max O'Dowd – the Netherlands had almost as smooth a start as Zimbabwe (25/0/4). The first wicket fell on 41 when Vikram (14) – after being hit on the helmet – hit the ball into the hands of the short extra cover. After the first Powerplay it was 53/1.

What followed was a batting masterclass by O'Dowd and Cooper: 'milking' the spinners risk-free by punching balls into gaps. Although O'Dowd was struggling with his timing, he still almost made a run a ball. Cooper started cautiously and was dropped by the keeper on 34 (with the Netherlands on 99/1). Halfway through the innings the score was a promising 117/1.

Patiently, the two routiniers made a partnership of 125 runs for the second wicket before Cooper (74 off 85 balls) was run out (166/2). In the 39th over, Zimbabwe had a huge chance to catch Ackermann (who was on 20) at short mid wicket, but captain Ervine did not do his team a favour by dropping the sitter.

Still things would not work out for the men in Orange. Max O'Dowd (81) could not finish the job as he was trapped in front by Raza (197/3/40.3). Moments later, Ackermann (28) was stumped. Nidamanuru (out first ball) could not follow up his match winning century from the first ODI and Van Meekeren – batting at 7 – became the third victim of a Madhevere hat-trick, making him the fiftieth bowler in history to do so in ODIs (213/6).

When Shariz Ahmad was bowled by Raza, it seemed to be game, set and match, but the replay showed that Raza had overstepped. Edwards and Shariz now went full throttle. Raza became increasingly angry at the – in his eyes – forsaken fielders. Ostensibly, his anger helped, as running too sharply led to Shariz's run out. Twenty runs before reaching the target, Edwards' heroic attempt (36 off 28) came to an end. Copying his captain, Musa Ahmad hit a full toss in the hands of the long on moments later.

Fred Klaassen made an ultimate attempt to reach the target of 272 with a formidable six off Chatara on the penultimate ball. His well-hit cover drive off the final ball of the game yielded two runs, one too few for a tie. Zimbabwe used eight bowlers, of whom Madhevere (3-36) and Raza (3-39) were the most successful.

Photo credit: Talent Zvanyanya/Zimbabwe cricket