Netherlands A European T10 champion after win over England
Published at 14 October, 2022The Netherlands A has won the Dream11 European Cricket Championship. In the spectacular final, the Dutch were too strong for reigning T10 champions England. Ryan Klein (1-8) and particularly Saqib Zulfiqar (3-7) excelled for the Dutch.
England reached the final via a win over Spain. Experience shows that the side first batting party usually has the greatest chance of winning. The coin fell England’s way and they did indeed choose to bat first.
However, Viv Kingma and Ryan Klein – both struggling with injuries – bowled brilliantly; the opening batsmen Ward and Claydon barely got the Dutch opening bowlers away. Kingma was the first to be rewarded when he clean bowled Harrison Ward.
In the fifth over, Saqib Zulfiqar got Claydon lbw. In the same over in-form Rishton mistimed a ball that was caught by Klein.
Kingma and Braat created an amazing run out. Kingma made a good stop at fine leg and threw the ball to the bowler's end. Braat took the ball half volley and ran Godsal out. In the same over the dangerous Thomas Bevan (run out) was the victim of alert fielding of the captain in the same over. It was 63/7 after eight overs.
Due to two expensive final overs, which yielded a total of 36 runs, England still managed 99 runs. Klein (1-8) was perhaps more effective with a short run-up than his full run-up. Saqib Zulfiqar surpassed himself with 3-7.
Netherlands innings
Floyd (run out) hesitated for a moment and that cost him his wicket on the very first ball. Gorlee (32 off 18) was dropped twice and his partner Saqib (14 off 14) was unable to accelerate.
Not for the first time this week, Ryan Klein provided the turnaround with three sixes, followed by Sebastiaan Braat who hit the most beautiful lofted straight drive of the tournament. The Dutch were almost there, but due to a misunderstanding Klein (19 off five balls!) went unnecessarily run out in the ninth over. To make matters worse, Captain Braat spooned the very next ball into the hands of the fielder at point. Elenbaas and Rasool could finish it with singles. Rasool, however, had other plans and hit a huge six over mid wicket.
The celebrations in the Dutch camp were great. The players stormed onto the field and built a party. During the week, a fair number of spectators had also built up; they witnessed a final that was certainly worth watching.
Photo: European Cricket / Diana Oros
