Dutch eliminated from T20 World Cup after loss to Sri Lanka
Published at 17 June, 2024The Dutch men's cricket team has not been able to beat Sri Lanka. On the Caribbean island of Saint Lucia, it was 201-118 in favor of the Asians, who had already been eliminated. The result didn't matter for the Super Eight, though, as Bangladesh defeated Nepal 106-85.
The Dutch team, which opted to field after winning the toss, got off to a fantastic start when Nissanka was caught by Sybrand Engelbrecht off the bowling of Viv Kingma. While the Netherlands did not lack energy in the field, Sri Lanka did not lack luck as numerous balls fell between fielders.
Paul van Meekeren picked up his hundredth T20I wicket in the first Powerplay (39/2/5.2). At halfway the innings, the score was 74/2. It was 84/3/11.1 when Aryan Dutt (1-2) forced Kamindu Mendis to hit the ball against the wind and was caught by Engelbrecht.
Despite periodic wicket loss, Sri Lanka accelerated skillfully. Several overs went for sixteen to nineteen runs in the closing stages. Bas de Leede remained wicketless due to a dropped catch off his bowling. He also seemed to have Asalanka (who would make 46 off 21) LBW on 19, but the little lefthander was saved by the umpire's call. It didn't help the Dutch; After 134/4/16 it became 201/6. Logan van Beek took 2-45, Engelbrecht and De Leede each took two catches.
Netherlands innings
Netherlands got off to a convincing start. Michael Levitt and Max O'Dowd laid down an opening partnership of 45 runs. Levitt made a spectacular 31 before he was stumped. Since only Scott Edwards (31) made an acceptable score in the middle order, the Netherlands (118 all out in 16.4 overs) again had to bow its head to Sri Lanka. Nuwan Thushara took 3-24, Matheesha Pathirana 2-12.
However, a Dutch win would not have made a difference for the Super Eight, as Bangladesh successfully defended 106 runs against Nepal, which was all out for 85.
