Plenty of positives despite loss in warm-up matches
Published at 23 March, 2022In preparation for a T20I and three One Dayers against New Zealand, the Dutch men first played warm-up matches against the Kiwis. Two games had a result.
FIRST WARM-UP GAME
The Netherlands won the toss and opted to field first. The Orange, which started with the seamers Klaassen and De Leede, kept New Zealand reasonably in check and took wickets regularly; for example, the score was 92/4 in the 21st over. Captain Seelaar used many bowlers in relatively short spells; only Van Beek and Seelaar himself were rested. Spinners Boissevain and Dutt were the most economical; three seamers were the most effective (Klaassen three wickets, De Leede and Glover two each).
For the Kiwis lefthander Michael Bracewell (of the well-known cricket family) made a wonderful (albeit not flawless) 127* off balls with 14x4 and 2x6. New Zealand managed 280/8/50.
Coach Campbell will have appreciated that his young early order batsmen Vikram Singh (45) and Bas de Leede (47 not out) played excellent knocks. It was getting darker and rainier. When the game was stopped and the Netherlands were at 117/4/29.1, New Zealand had a DL surplus of 42 runs.
SECOND WARM-UP GAME
In the second match, a toss was not necessary as both teams agreed that the Netherlands would bat first. After the departure of Vikram Singh, Max O'Dowd and Scott Edwards could not easily cope with the disciplined attack, apart from a great straight drive and a ditto pullshot from O'Dowd (30), who was however bowled through the gate by offspinner Bracewell shortly afterwards.
Where 24-year-old seamer Ben Sears was rather legside-ish, his 23-year-old colleague seamer Angus McKenzie was deadly effective. After the premature departure of Edwards, Seelaar and Gorlee (all three caught behind), De Leede (72) and Logan van Beek (37) made 86 runs for the sixth wicket. Mainly due to that partnership, 214/9/50 was the end result.
With disciplined bowling, the Netherlands took six wickets before New Zealand hit the winning 215th run in the 43rd over. Bracewell, the centurion of the first game, again became the top scorer with a virtually flawless 81.
The third warm-up match on 21 March was abandoned without a ball bowled.
CAPTAIN AND COACH COMMENTS
Captain Pieter Seelaar: "Positive is the fact that we were able to play two games against good opposition. We have gained valuable experience and especially Bas de Leede and Vikramjit Singh spent a good time in the middle with the bat. Also positive is that as a bowling group we have created a lot of chances over the two games. We took 15 wickets and with a little more luck we could have had 20."
National coach Ryan Campbell also sees many positives: “Lots of good stuff came out of the warm-up games, especially the form of Bas de Leede and Vikramjit Singh with the bat. We also saw the threat that Bracewell will pose for the Blackcaps. We were well short of our best in these matches but they were vital experiences for us to get used to the conditions.”
About resting Seelaar and Van Beek in the first warm-up game: “With a long series ahead, it is very important that we monitor our bowler’s workloads and for his reason, it was decided Pieter & Logan were not to bowl in game one. We are extremely careful with our bowling staff and they will be monitored throughout the series.”
About Bas de Leede returning to form: “Bas is one of our brightest young stars. Like most young players, he is still finding his way but through sheer hard work, he is getting his game to where we want it to be. Don’t get me wrong, he still has a long way to go, but the faster wickets here in New Zealand will suit his game and I am really looking forward to seeing what he can do against quality opposition.”
About Pieter Seelaar’s back issues: “Pieter understands where his game is at and is working extremely hard to raise the bar. Unfortunately, he has been battling a back injury that has robbed him of time in the nets. I have full faith that he will return to form and lead this team in the brilliant manner in which he always has.”
About injuries in the squad: “We have had a number of injuries that has meant we haven’t been selecting from a full squad. Stef Myburgh injured his calf on the first training day, Philippe Boissevain has an injured bowling hand and Michael Rippon will join the squad the day before the T20I. We hope to have all players ready to go for the first ODI.”
About Brandon Glover’s role in the team: ”Brandon’s job for us is very clear and that is to bowl fast. His extra pace gives variety to our fast bowling attack. He has had a few technical issues over the past year due to injury and a lack of bowling in County cricket. His pace against the New Zealand XI was very evident and will be vital against the Blackcaps.”
About Vikramjit Singh keeping wicket: “We have been looking for a back-up wicketkeeper to Scott Edwards for some time with the unavailability of Tobias Vise as well as Asad Zulfiqar. I decided that Vikramjit had the skillset that would make a steady backup. We have been working with him and as a former wicketkeeper, I believe Vikramjit may have a future with the gloves on.”
One-off T20I & ODI series
The Netherlands series against New Zealand starts with a one-off T20I on Friday night 25 March at McLean Park in Napier from 7:10 am (CET).
The three-game ODI Super League Series gets underway at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui on Tuesday, March 29, with games two and three both at Seddon Park in Hamilton on Saturday April 2 and Monday 4 April.
Photo - PhotosportNZ
