The Netherlands show some resilience despite heavy defeat
Published at 24 August, 2022The Dutch womens team has lost the second ODI against Ireland. The visitors posted a massive target of 337. The Netherlands did not come close: 126 all out.
Inspired by taking five wickets the Dutch took on Monday, captain Babette de Leede opted to field first.
That seemed to be the right choice as the Netherlands got the prize wickets of Gaby Lewis and Amy Hunter quite cheaply.
However, who thought the Irish were in trouble, was wrong. Using their feet well, Leah Paul and Laura Delany constructed a mega partnership of no less than 236 runs for the third wicket - a record.
The batting became more convincing and after 25 overs Ireland were 134/2.
The Dutch fielders were up and down, alternating excellent stops with a considerable number of misfields.
In the 47th over Iris Zwilling changed the direction of a Paul straight drive, cleverly running out Delany (109): 305/3.
A fourth wicket came to Annemijn van Beuge’s name when she ran out Paul (137) from long on with a fantastic direct hit.
The Netherlands rediscovered some alertness and managed to take eight wickets. That did not keep the Irish from posting 337/8.
Netherlands innings
Babette de Leede started off well with a six, but became the victim of an impossible slipcatch in the same over, Murray diving full stretch to her right.
Van Beuge’s (26) and Post’s (15) batting looked much better than in the first march in all respects - footwork, balls into gaps, looking for singles, no pushing but hitting.
The result was that the two batters made a 40 run partnership - well behind the asking rate, obviously, but the main thing was that the Netherlands would bat the full fifty overs to get some ‘flight hours’.
After 25 overs the Netherlands were 95/4 (Robine Rijke 21).
With Jolien van Vliet and Iris Zwilling (17) in the middle the Irish became a bit untidy as two chances were dropped. On the other hand keeper Mary Waldron was alert with a direct hit, running out Van Vliet (20).
After that, things went quickly, the Netherlands losing their last five wickets for only twelve runs.
Five players reached double figures but none of them was able to convert a good start into a big score. For Ireland Cara Murray stood out with 5-39.
