Netherlands makes up for mediocre innings with strong bowling against Italy
Published at 23 May, 2023Italy is visiting the Netherlands for three T20s against The Netherlands A. The first was on Tuesday at VRA. The Orange did not bat brilliantly (130 runs) but put things in order when bowling and fielding (Italy 88 all out).
Sebastiaan Braat won the toss and opted to bat. After two quick wickets Michael Levitt (36) and Saqib Zulfiqar (20) made 37 runs for the third. Captain Braat (assisted by Klye Klein, 14, partnership 44) took matters into his own hands with 35 runs off 29 balls. Nevertheless, the Netherlands A did not get past 130 runs. Jaspreet Singh took 3-26 for Italy, who had another standout performer in Stefano Di Bartolomeo (3-22).
Was there a sensation in the air? The first two wickets fell quickly and Kelulawala seemed to play on, facing Elenbaas. He just raked the ball away in front of his stumps. Gorlee picked up a sharp catch at mid-off (his second catch) and wicketkeeper Noah Croes joined in nicely with three catches. Any attempt by the Italians to accelerate was nipped in the bud. At a stand of 29, there were already six wickets down.
Despite 40 runs from number 8 Jaspreet Singh, the situation for the southern Europeans barely improved after that. They were unable to bat for twenty overs. Italy were all out for 88, with Olivier Elenbaas taking a fantastic 4-9.
On Wednesday 24 May (2 PM) and Thursday 25 May (11 AM), the Netherlands will play Italy twice more, both at Voorburg CC.
