From being dismissed for the lowest Twenty20 international exactly a week ago to defeating a former World T20 champion, The Netherlands have come a long way. Just a game after being skittled out for 39, the Dutch pulled up their socks to nearly pull out a surprise. They came within reach of upsetting South Africa when the asking rate was less than six an over. A more experienced team would have gone about the run chase better. All qualifier had to do was to bat sensibly.
They had no such problems against England, who seem to be their favourite opponent in the World T20 competitions. On Monday, after making only 133/5, The Netherlands bowled out England for just 88 to emerge victors by 45 runs. In the 2009 edition, Netherlands upset England by four wickets in a last ball finish at Lord's, successfully chasing 162
To defend successfully a total as low as 133 is one thing. But to bowl out an opposition, who won the title in 2010, inside 18 overs is a remarkable achievement for the Orange brigade and will do a lot of good in their rise in the international ladder.
In Chittagong on Monday, pacemen Mudassar Bukhari and Logan van Beek took three wickets apiece to bowl The Netherlands to victory. Bukhari took 3/12 while van Beek finished with 3/9 to bowl.
England, who chased 190 to beat Sri Lanka in their only win in the tournament, never looked comfortable, despite the inexperienced Dutch bowling. Ravi Bopara (18), Chris Jordan (14) and Alex Hales (12) were the only batsmen who reached double figures in an otherwise disappointing batting display.
Earlier, Wesley Barresi top-scored with a 45-ball 48 studded with two boundaries and two sixes to take The Netherlands to a modest score after being put into bat. Barresi added 50 for the second wicket with Stephan Myburgh, who made a brisk 31-ball 39 with six boundaries and a six.
Both sides lacked motivation as England, who lost two of their first three games, and The Netherlands, defeated in all three, were already out of the semi-finals.
—(With agency inputs)
DUTCH VS FULL MEMBERS
England by 4 wickets in World T20, June 2009
Bangladesh by 1 wicket in 2nd T20I, July 2012
England by 45 runs in World T20, March 2014
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