Bas de Leede claimed two wickets and scored an unbeaten 30 as the Netherlands defeated giant-killing Namibia by five wickets on Tuesday, moving a step closer to the Twenty20 World Cup Super 12.
Bas de Leede claimed two wickets and scored an unbeaten 30 as the Netherlands defeated giant-killing Namibia by five wickets on Tuesday, moving a step closer to the Twenty20 World Cup Super 12. The Dutch used seven different bowlers to put the clamps on the African nation, limiting them to 121-6 in their 20 overs at a sun-drenched but almost deserted Kardinia Park in Geelong. De Leede, who took 2-18 and had excellent fielding, was the best of the lot.
When Namibia took four late wickets to set up a tense finish, the Europeans were cruising at 91-1 in the 14th over of their reply, buoyed by the presence of former South Africa and India coach Gary Kirsten on their coaching team.
The Netherlands needed six runs off the final over, and De Leede came through with a boundary and two runs with three balls remaining to seal the victory.
We can’t afford to lose wickets at terrible times, and as a squad, we can learn from that, said De Leede.
However, confidence has always been present, and it’s satisfying to triumph in two close contests.
It was a significant triumph over a squad that on the opening day of the World Cup in Australia on Sunday, shockingly defeated Asian champions, Sri Lanka, by 55 runs.
The Netherlands defeated the United Arab Emirates by three wickets on the same day, and with two victories out of two, they will advance to the Super 12 if Sri Lanka is defeated by the UAE later on Tuesday.
They previously advanced to the second round in 2014, when they won their group and shockingly defeated England.
Namibian captain Gerhard Erasmus stated, “Never good to be on the losing side when it’s so close.
With the bat, it was difficult for both sides, but they ran better than us. We put on a nice display in the field.
The decision to bat by Erasmus, who had won the toss, appeared to be a mistake as Namibia stumbled to 32-3 in the sixth over due to timing issues.
During their 31-run collaboration, Stephan Baard and Jan Frylinck stabilized the ship before Roelof van der Merwe relieved Board for 19.
Before De Leede enticed him into a huge shot and he was caught in the deep, Frylinck had amassed 43 runs. De Leede then trapped Erasmus in the same over.
A respectable target of 27 from the final three overs was set, but the Dutch bowling was impressive with just seven total boundaries.
Max O’Dowd and Vikram Singh scored 44 runs for the Dutch after five overs in response.
Before aiming for another off Bernard Scholtz and being trapped by the ropes, Singh hit two sixes in his 39.
Having gained momentum, Namibia quickly took four more wickets, including O’Dowd for 35, to provide a tense conclusion.
