Strong start Dutch women to T10 tournament in Malaga
Published at 17 December, 2023This week, a Dutch women's XI will play T10 matches against Italy, England XI, Spain and Austria in Malaga. The event is organised by the European Cricket Network, which has also organised numerous attractive T10 tournaments for the men.
On 17 December, Italy was the first opponent – one not to be underestimated, because earlier this year the Italians proved to be too strong for the Dutch in this format. The Netherlands, batting first, experienced the power of the Italian women when they were on 18/2, with top batters Iris Zwilling and Robine Rijke back in the pavilion. However, Annemijn Thomson (25 off 17 balls, 2x6) and Carlijn van Koolwijk (32 not out off sixteen balls, 3x6) played fantastic knocks and helped the Dutch to a defensible score of 92/6 in the available ten overs.
Rathnayake attacked Zwilling from the very first delivery, but the Dutch captain had the last laugh when keeper Rosalie Lawrence took a great catch and the danger woman had to go. Yet, initially, Italy achieved the required run rate seemingly effortlessly. The Netherlands were lucky when Suddahazai arrived late to the crease and five penalty runs were awarded. With that, the target for Italy went up to 98. Merel Dekeling picked up a 'reverse cup' beauty at short extra cover - the dangerous Emilia Bartram - and Caroline de Lange took a great catch on the long off-boundary and with that the match was over. The Dutch bowlers, of whom Sanya Khurana (2-9) came off the field with the best figures, bowled excellently.
Victory against Spain
In the afternoon Spain - which had lost to Austria earlier in the day - was on the fixtures list. It would be the match of Iris Zwilling and Annemijn Thomson, who put on a wonderful record partnership of 130/0 with Zwilling 74* (30 balls, 6x6) and Thomson 51* (30 balls, 2x6).
Thanks to good bowling and fielding, the Spanish score came no further than 56/6. Rosalie Lawrence played herself into the spotlight with a stumping and a run out. Carlijn van Koolwijk was the star bowler this time with 2-8.
