Match 5, Geelong, October 18, 2022, 09:30 AM
Namibia
121/6(20.0ov)
Netherlands
122/5(19.3ov)
Netherlands beat Namibia by 5 wickets
Right then. That's it from the coverage of this game. More cricketing action coming your way as Sri Lanka take on the United Arab Emirates in the second match of the doubleheader. The action starts at 1.30 pm IST (8 am GMT) but you can switch tabs and follow the build-up to that game right away. Cheers!
Scott Edwards, the captain of the Netherlands says that they don't wanna be known as the team that leaves it late but is stoked with the win. Adds that they did well to get the runs at the top and they knew Namibia had strong death bowlers but they managed to get over the line and is happy with the opportunity they have given themselves to make the next round.
The skipper of Namibia, Gerhard Erasmus says that they could not keep things tight in the field which made it easier for the opposition. He says that they lacked with the blade, and probably even Netherlands struggled with the same but they ran well.
Bas de Leede is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his match-winning effort with both bat and ball. He starts by jokingly saying that some of his teammates might be bitter about him snatching most of the wickets. He says the self belief has always been there and adds that it feels really good to clinch two close games and it does really well for their side.
The Presentation ceremony...
Earlier in the game, Gerhard Erasmus won the toss and elected to bat first which didn't turn out well as they lost as many as 3 wickets inside the Powerplay. It was then a steady knock played by Jan Frylinck that kept them in the game but they could only manage to put on 121 runs on the board. The Netherlands bowled extremely well as a group just like they did in the first game. In reply, Netherlands got off to a flier thanks to Vikramjit Singh and even after Namibia were able to pick up wickets towards the end and the game got close, Bas de Leede ensured that his side got over the line.
The Namibian new ball bowlers were not as effective as their counterparts. Just when Netherlands were running away with the game though, Namibia clawed their way back into the game with quick wickets. Namibia gave it their all but just didn’t have enough runs in the bank for their bowlers to defend and will now have to win their final game if they are to have a strong chance of making it through to the next round.
What an incredible finish to the game but it is Netherlands who hold their nerves and make it 2 wins out of 2 to go top of the group table. Max O'Dowd and Vikramjit Singh provided a great start for Netherlands in their pursuit of 122. The opening pair stitched a 59-run partnership. Despite a mini collapse towards the end, Bas de Leede steadied the ship and saw Netherlands home courtesy of his unbeaten knock.
In over# 20
2
0
4
David Wiese 22/0(2.3)
19.3
2
That's it, Bas de Leede holds his nerves and hits the winning run. This is full and straight, de Leeded manages to punch it back past the bowler and the ball goes dead straight. The fielder from long on comes across but the batters are able to get back for two. Netherlands win by 5 wickets!
19.2
.
A quick bumper now from David Wiese, Bas de Leede walks towards the ball and lets it through. Bas de Leede thinks its too high but the umpire deems it a fair delivery.
19.1
4
FOUR! That should do it for Netherlands. Good length, outside off. Bas de Leede backs away and thumps it over the mid off. The ball goes off the toe end but has enough on it to clear the fielder and the ball trickles into the fence as well. Just 2 needed now off 5 deliveries.
In over# 19
2
1
1
2
1
1
JJ Smit 24/2(4)
18.6
2
Full and outside off, Tim Pringle stays deep in his crease and manages to loft it over the cover region. The fielder from inside the ring chases it down and keeps it down to two. 6 needed now off 6 deliveries.
18.5
1
Back of a length, over middle and leg, this is jabbed away in front of deep mid-wicket for just another single.
18.4
1
Tim Pringle has flattened the stumps at the other end. Length ball on off stump, Pringle hits it towards mid off and sets off for the single. Gerhard Erasmus has a shy at the bowler's end as Pringle dives it. The fielder misses the stumps but Pringle just barges into them.
18.3
2
Just over! Full and angling into leg stump, Tim Pringle chips this one using his wrists and the ball just eludes the leaping fielder at short mid-wicket. The batters pick up a couple of runs as well.
18.2
1
Fuller and outside off, Bas de Leede walks towards the ball and plays it on the up towards deep cover for one more.
18.1
1
Misfield and they do get the single. Good length, at the stumps, Tim Pringle flicks it to the left of short mid-wicket who slides across but misses the ball and allows the single.