New Zealand win second T20I
Published at 05 August, 2022New Zealand has also won the second T20I against the Netherlands. At Westvliet, the Kiwis did not have too much trouble overcoming 147 Dutch runs.
After the wonderful atmosphere experienced during the first match, the Netherlands batted first this time. Max O’Dowd started convincingly with a blistering pull shot, but played on to Bracewell in the same over.
Vikram Singh, in the team for Teja Nidamanuru, was at the crease together with his fellow lefthander Stephan Myburgh. The 38-year old led by example with a beautiful square drive for four, followed by a magnificently timed six off Ben Sears.
Due to these shots the Netherlands raced to 32/1/4. However, Singh hit a ball straight to mid off - it was 32/2.
Myburgh was fortunate when a slog sweep was misjudged and dropped by Neesham. Instead of a wicket, the shot yielded two runs.
One over later, Myburgh was less fortunate. His pullshot was reasonably timed, but not well enough. Finn Allen took a simple catch at deep backward square leg.
This catch did not keep Bas de Leede from playing the slog sweep to Mitch Santner. Just like on Thursday, the ball landed on the adjacent athletics track.
As a result of De Leede’s well-placed cover drives and agile reserve sweeps by Cooper the runrate was more or less stable at seven per over. Legspinner Sodhi was greeted with a six and Cooper did not hold back to Neesham.
Directly after the Dutch reached 100 in the fourteenth over, Sodhi took the pace off the ball which was hit into the hands of Mitchell at long off by Cooper (26 off 17).
Edwards and De Leede made a partnership of 46 which led to a score of 147 runs. One of the highlights was a reverse sweep for six by Scott Edwards, right on the tent of the opposition. Underlining his excellent current form, De Leede made 53 not out.
New Zealand innings
A big six by Finn Allen off Van Beek seemed to be followed by a wicket, but Pringle spilled the not too difficult chance.
Characteristically, Pringle got his revenge by bowling Guptill: 20/1 in the third over.
An excellent piece of fielding by Shariz Ahmad was followed by a monster six by Santner over long on. The ball suitcase once again had to be called for.
Bas de Leede came into the attack and struck with his very first delivery: Allen LBW for only 12 and New Zealand 26/2.
Now Santner and Mitchell formed the partnership that had to be broken. Not an easy task considering the class and experience of both players.
In the ninth over there was a difficult chance off his own bowling but Pringle was unable to hang on to it.
At 110/2 there was another chance, but even Bas de Leede was unable to grab the chance fielding at deep extra cover.
Apart from several edges the Kiwis predominantly showed wonderful and well-timed strokes. The two experienced campaigners went towards the target with ease: 149/2 after fourteen overs.
Mitchell made 51 off only 27 balls. Santner, who usually bats a bit later, made 77 off 42 deliveries. In the Dutch attack, De Leede (1-13) and Pringle (1-16) had acceptable figures.
