Dutch women's team goes home with their heads held high

The calculator had been consulted beforehand to determine whether the Netherlands could also make it to the semi-finals in the event of a loss. The answer was no: Orange had to beat the Irish who had already qualified for the semifinals.

The Netherlands had a fantastic start when Caroline de Lange took a blinder with her right hand at mid on. Amy Hunter was the victim. Moments later, the combi Zwilling (bowling)/ Overdijk (catching) dismissed Gaby Lewis: 14/2!

The Dutch were on top and caught everything in this phase, witnessing the fine catch by Sterre Kalis at long on and the one by Iris Zwilling at square leg: 55/4/9.3.

Unfortunately for the Dutch Laura Delany (70 not out) did get away with two catching opportunities. Ireland recovered with a partnership of 89 for the fifth wicket.

The ground fielding was excellent, by Hannah Landheer, Silver Siegers and Carlijn van Koolwijk in particular. Iris Zwilling excelled with 2-13, Silver Siegers took 1-21. Caroline de Lange deserved better figures than 1-29. Ireland still managed 144/4.

Netherlands innings

A lot of runs in the Powerplay was the motto. The Netherlands partly succeeded in that set-up (Iris Zwilling 14) but lost three expensive wickets. Halfway through the innings it was 60/3.

Babette de Leede (20) and Heather Siegers (16) made a partnership of 31 runs for the fourth wicket. However, after 60/3 a collapse led to 73/8. After 17.3 overs, the Dutch were all out for 90.

The Netherlands finished with four points from four matches - as many as the UAE, but due to the heavy defeat against the host nation, the Dutch finished third on Net Run Rate. Only the top-2 go to the semi-finals.

Yet the Netherlands can go home with their heads held high. The win on Vanuatu was impressive and Zimbabwe was defeated for the second time.

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