The Netherlands U19 gives away the win against Jersey
Published at 10 August, 2023The Netherlands U19 also failed to win the World Cup qualifying match against Jersey. In an attractive match, which was dominated by the Orange for a long time, it became 243-231.
That one shot, that beautiful catch, a sharp run out, that one umpire decision… Cricket is a sport of small causes and big consequences. Jersey made 243 runs and although that seemed quite a lot, the Netherlands was for a long time on track to surpass that total. It wasn't to be; The Netherlands ended up 13 runs short of winning.
A score of 181/2 for Jersey threatened to become worrying for the Netherlands. The 15-year-old Tom de Leede, until now kept out of the team and used as the sixth bowler, made a triple breakthrough (188/5). The remaining bowlers were unable to prevent Jersey bringing a solid 243/6 into the books. Tom de Leede took 3-34 in nine overs.
Innings Netherlands
In the first twenty overs, the Orange kept it neatly at four runs per over and lost one wicket. Centurion Cedric de Lange picked up from the day before and made another big score with intelligent batting. After a cautious start, Michael Molenaar also got better and better. The partnership was 83 for the second wicket.
After 25 overs it was 104/1. Molenaar realized that the scoring tempo had to be increased and immediately hit Pullman for twelve in an over. With twenty overs to go, the requested run rate was five; very doable with nine wickets in hand. A top edge, however, meant the end of Molenaar (a nice 52): 144/2.
The Orange could have chosen to maintain the LH/RH combination, but opted for Udit Nashier over right-hander Teun Kloppenburg. The power in De Lange's shots (this time a fine 71) decreased somewhat. An apparently well placed lofted on drive was cleverly caught by the sprinting Theo Pullman.
Nashier and Kloppenburg took it to 180/4, Kloppenburg (22) and Kulkarni to 197/5. Six runs per over were requested; far from impossible. The problem was that no one stayed at the crease; seven Dutchmen were caught.
Even the last pair, Swanepoel and Harhangi, seemed to bring the Orange past Jersey with energetic batting. However, an annoying misunderstanding when calling led to a run out and thus to the last wicket: 243-231.
The Netherlands will play against Norway on Saturday, August 12 at 11.00 at Excelsior '20.
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