Papua New Guinea end Netherlands winning streak
Published at 24 October, 2019Netherlands 126/7 lost to PNG 127/5 by 5 wickets
In a clash of table-toppers Papua New Guinea and the Netherlands, the Dutch, choosing to bat first after winning the toss, put up a disappointing total of 126/7. Coming in at 9 Timm van der Gugten showed he’s a useful all-rounder by adding 40 runs off 21 balls (1x4, 3x6) in the last 6 overs. Captain Pieter Seelaar did well to hold the innings together after the Netherlands lost it’s top three before the end of the powerplay (37-3 in 5.6). But when he also saw senior players Ackermann, ten Doeschate and van der Merwe depart without making an impact, Seelaars’ main priority was to make sure the Dutch would use up all 20 overs and by doing so giving themselves something to defend.
van der Gugten 40*
Seelaar 21*
Having been extremely sharp in the field and with all bowlers firing in the first three games, the Netherlands would still have been quietely confident of defending 126. But being put under pressure by some very sharp running of PNG’s batsmen, the Netherlands fielders slipped up a couple of times. Catches went down and a few fumbles on the rope turned ones into fours. When it couldn't find the early breakthrough it needed, the Netherlands couldn't prevent PNG hitting the winning run with six balls to spare. PNG beat the Netherlands by 5 wickets.
van der Merwe 2-27/4
Ackermann 1-22/4
van der Gugten 1/22/3
Scorecard
ICC photo gallery
Video highlights
Head coach Ryan Campbell: “We’ve always known that this competition was going to be the toughest ever and that every team represented a danger. Today we were outplayed. Our fielding was not the standard that we set ourselves and our batting miss fired again. We will re-group and come back stronger against Bermuda, we have no other option!”
The Netherlands will play it's last two group matches this Saturday and Sunday against Bermuda and Scotland. Both games will be broadcasted by YuppTV. Group winners will qualify directly for the T20 World Cup, nrs 2-4 from each group will be playing play-offs for the four remaining spots.
