Netherlands pulled off a sensational 38-run victory over South Africa in a rain-reduced 43-over match at the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023.
Netherlands bat first and post 245-8
The Dutch, who had lost their previous two games, defended a modest total of 245-8 against the Proteas, who had won their first two matches convincingly.
The match, played at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala on Tuesday, 17 October 2023, saw Netherlands win the toss and opt to bat first. They got off to a shaky start, losing five wickets for 82 runs in the 18th over. However, a brilliant unbeaten 78 off 69 balls by captain Scott Edwards, along with useful contributions from Roelof van der Merwe (29), Aryan Dutt (23) and Logan van Beek (10), helped them post a competitive score.
South Africa collapse in chase of 246
South Africa’s chase was derailed by some disciplined bowling from the Dutch, who picked up regular wickets and never allowed the batsmen to settle. Van der Merwe, who had earlier scored 29 runs and taken a stunning catch to dismiss David Miller, returned to haunt his former team with the ball, taking two wickets for 34 runs in nine overs. He was well supported by van Beek (3-60), Paul van Meekeren (2-40), Bas de Leede (2-36) and Ryan ten Doeschate (2-34).
South Africa were reduced to 44-4 in the 12th over, with Quinton de Kock (20), Temba Bavuma (16), Aiden Markram (1) and Rassie van der Dussen (4) all back in the pavilion. Miller (43) and Heinrich Klaasen (28) tried to revive the innings with a 56-run stand for the fifth wicket, but once they fell, the lower order crumbled under pressure. Keshav Maharaj (40) was the only other batsman to offer some resistance, but he ran out of partners as South Africa were bowled out for 207 in 42.5 overs.
Edwards and van der Merwe shine for Netherlands
Edwards was named the Player of the Match for his superb knock and captaincy. He said he was proud of his team’s performance and hoped to build on this win in the remaining matches. He also praised van der Merwe for his all-round display and said he was a great asset for the team.
This was Netherlands’ first win over South Africa in ODIs and their second win over them in international cricket, after their T20 World Cup victory in Australia last year. It was also South Africa’s first loss in this World Cup and their third loss to an associate nation in World Cup history, after defeats to Kenya in 2003 and Ireland in 2015.
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Netherlands stun South Africa in ICC World cup