The Netherlands bounce back against Namibia in low-scoring match
Published at 07 March, 2025The Dutch men have recorded an unlikely victory in Windhoek. In a rain-shortened WCL2 match with varying chances, the Dutch were able to defend a low total: 159-106.
While the weather was beautiful in the Netherlands, the outfield in the Namibian capital Windhoek was flooded again. After several rain delays, forty overs remained for both teams.
Winning the toss would be nice, but the coin fell wrong for Dutch captain Scott Edwards. Logically, openers Vikram Singh and Max O'Dowd first scanned the pitch and the circumstances carefully, with the exception of a very productive seventh over (seventeen runs) by Max O'Dowd.
Thanks to exceptional ground fielding, Namibia kept the run rate around four per over. Partly because of the reduced number of overs, it was necessary to accelerate. Unfortunately for the Dutch, this ambition heralded the fall of the first wicket, Vikram 37 to a failed lofted drive (84/1/19.1). Shortly after, Scholtz cleaned O'Dowd for 43.
The middle order was supposed to absorb these blows, but did not succeed; In no time it was 99/6 as the Dutch lost six wickets for fifteen runs.
It is an asset to have someone at number seven with two ODI centuries to his name. Again, it was Teja Nidamanuru (47) who - with important support from van der Gugten and Van Meekeren - ensured that the Dutch did not go into the dressing room without a chance, although the score was only 159 all out after 39.1 overs. On the Namibian side, Bernard Scholtz excelled with 4-15 and Smit with 2-16.
Namibia innings
The start of the innings was hopeful for the Netherlands. Kyle Klein was successful twice with LBWs in the first over. A close run out (Erasmus) in the fifth over could not be reviewed as there is no third umpire in the WCL2. No doubt the ICC will consider - partly as a result of this potentially crucial run out chance - whether this is still possible in 2025, given what is at stake.
Two difficult dropped catches didn't help the Dutch cause, but Zach Lion-Cachet did hold on to a rocket at backward point (29/3/7.3). Loftie-Eaton got away with a good LBW shout but was bowled two balls later by Aryan Dutt (47/4/13).
The same fate befell the dangerous Gerhard Erasmus, who saw his offstump being hit by a beauty from Dutt (54/5/15). Smit seemed LBW to Dutt and was given a ball later (62/6). Catches by Vikram Singh and Bas de Leede resulted in eight wickets down, and the Namibian tailenders were unable to get the sinking ship afloat again. Zach Lion-Cachet (3-15) had the best figures, but it was Aryan Dutt (3-28) who took the most important wickets.
On Tuesday, March 11, the Netherlands will play against Canada.
Photo credit: Cricket Namibia
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