The Netherlands beat USA in bizarre World Cup qualifying game
Published at 15 August, 2024The One Day International against the United States has resulted in a bizarre win for the home team. From a hopeless position, the Dutch managed to win 237 – 218.
The Netherlands are playing these matches as part of the ICC Cricket World Cup League 2. The top-4 of this CWCL2 will play a Global World Cup Qualifier before the Cricket World Cup in 2027 in southern Africa. The matches can be followed free of charge via ICC TV.
For a long time, the 237 Dutch runs didn't seem nearly enough. The Americans were cruising towards a solid victory when top scorer Milind Kumar was suddenly caught off Kyle Klein's very last ball. The tail of the U.S. proved incapable of finishing the seemingly simple job.
The USA chose to field first. Michael Levitt produced the first boundary of the morning, but was bowled behind his legs shortly afterwards by Juanoy Drysdale.
Vikram Singh started with two perfectly timed back foot drives. The sequel was solid; the Dutch didn't lose any wickets in this stage. When Max O'Dowd was bowled for 49, the partnership was 103 runs for the second wicket, with Vikram reaching his half-century.
However, it was 137/5 after Barresi's LBW and the run outs of Vikram Singh (59) and Noah Croes. An additional issue was that only four runs per over were made.
Recovery by Scott Edwards and Shariz Ahmad (16) was therefore much needed: 69 for the sixth wicket. Edwards' captain's knock finished on 65; the Netherlands made 237/7. For the visitors, Milind Kumar took 2-40.
Innings USA
Although Viv Kingma got off to a dream start – Steven Taylor was given LBW in the first over and Monank Patel beautifully caught by Shariz Ahmad at backward point – too many wides and half-volleys led to fine scores of 48/2 for the US after the first Powerplay, and then 73/2/15.
On 87 the third wicket fell when Shariz Ahmad got Smit Patel (38) LBW with a googly. The same bowler was helped by a fantastic diving catch from Kyle Klein at short mid wicket (Aaron Jones 47, 100/4/21). At 115/4/25 it was anybody's game.
Tight spells in the middle overs caused the required run rate to increase slightly. Jahangir (20) and Milind Kumar's partnership of 42 runs came to an end when Aryan Dutt caught the former easily off his own bowling (142/5/30.1).
Van Schalkwyk survived a close LBW shout by Van Meekeren on 1. Kyle Klein gave the Dutch hope by having top scorer Milind Kumar (69) caught off his last delivery (210/6/44). In the 47th over, Van Schalkwyk (21) hit the ball into the hands of Michael Levitt at short extra cover: 212/7. Shortly after, Jessy Singh did the same with a short ball from Van Meekeren that fell prey to Shariz Ahmad at point (213/8). An additional advantage for the Netherlands was that the required run rate rose sharply; Of the last two overs, 22 runs were required. Bizarrely, the wheels came off. In the last over, Van Meekeren (2-32) took the last American wicket on 218. Viv Kingma took 3-47, Aryan Dutt 2-42, Shariz Ahmad 2-35.
As a result of this turnaround, the Netherlands is currently in second place of the ICC Cricket World Cup League 2.
https://www.icc-cricket.com/matches/249255/netherlands-vs-usa
