Scotland beat Netherlands by 7 runs in Match 8 of the Desert T20 2017 Challenge
SCO beat NED by 7 runs in Match 8 of the Desert T20
In match no. 8 of the ongoing Desert Twenty20 (T20), Scotland trounced Netherlands by 7 runs to win consecutive matches in the competition. Netherlands opted to bowl and started the contest on a promising note before falling from a winning position. They were a step ahead in the clash with Scotland having to play the ‘catch-up’ game but Netherlands’ wayward batting and Scotland’s regular breakthroughs turned the result in the latter’s favour. With this win, Scotland move above Netherlands in Group B with Hong Kong sitting at the bottom. In Group A, Afghanistan are on top followed by Ireland and UAE. January 18 is set to witness another double header with Ireland taking on UAE in Group A and Hong Kong set to play Netherlands in the other group.
Netherlands invited Scotland to have a bat and soon restricted them to 13 for 3 inside 5 overs. Roelof van de Merwe and Paul van Meekeran struck early to leave Scotland in a tricky position. Nonetheless, their middle and lower-order were up for the challenge as 5 batsmen crossed 20 to propel them to respectability. Richie Berrington, Craig Wallace and Con de Lange provided Scotland bowlers with some sort of score courtesy a late flourish that saw them post 148 for 7 in 20 overs.
Full Cricket Scorecard, Netherlands vs Scotland, Match 8, Desert T20
Chasing 149, Netherlands were off to a flying start. They posted 50 runs at almost 10 anr over before losing plot. Opener Ben Cooper went for 24 whereas Tobias Visse and wicketkeeper-batsman, Wesley Barresi, departed cheaply. Captain Peter Borren and Michael Rippon combined together for a brief partnership which saw them close to the hundred-run mark.
Netherlands again lost plot with few quick wickets as the game stretched to the final overs. It was a careless batting display all of a sudden with regular dents by Scotland’s bowler Josh Davey. Davey after going for 16 runs in his first over, picked up 4 wickets and Bradley Wheal chipped in with two scalps. Netherlands lost a game they should have won whereas Scotland emerged winners out of nowhere.
Netherlands looked to be the better side from ball one but could not press hard in the closing hours to remain unbeaten in the tournament.