'Team effort' gives Orange women first win over Thailand
Published at 03 July, 2023The Dutch women's team recorded a historic victory on Monday. On VRA’s main ground the Netherlands proved too strong for visiting Thailand: 204-147. Robine Rijke made an unparalleled 83 as a batter and was also important as a bowler. She took three wickets for thirty runs. Iris Zwilling also bowled excellently: 3-22. It was the Netherlands' first win since regaining One Day status in 2022.
This time Sterre Kalis and Babette de Leede were unable to give the Netherlands the desired start. Heather Siegers and Robine Rijke, however, made a useful partnership of 43 for the third wicket. Siegers - good footwork and ditto timing - was dismissed for 35 (69/3). Frédérique Overdijk then perfectly supported Robine Rijke in a crucial partnership. Overdijk (15) was run out after a hesitation, but had made eighty runs with Rijke for the fifth wicket. Rijke placed the ball into gaps, batted intelligently, kept it simple and played a beautiful knock (83 off 78 balls).
Caroline de Lange and Eva Lynch did what was expected of them at this stage. They ensured that there was a chance that the Dutch would bat the 'full 50'. It just didn't get that far; The Netherlands were all out for 204 after 48.1 overs (Lynch 18).
Thailand innings
It soon became clear that the Orange team would have a chance. Isabel van der Woning cleaned veteran Tippoch with a beauty, the dangerous-looking Khoncharoenkai was bowled by Fré Overdijk (55/2) and an easy catch at short mid wicket by Heather Siegers meant 60/3. Robine Rijke has worked hard on her bowling action and is back as a medium pacer. She was rewarded with a caught behind (77/4).
Thailand made a reasonable partnership when the experienced Boochatham opener Chantham came to keep Chantham company. It even seemed to 'cruise' until Boochatham ran herself out (112/5).
The required run rate would never be an issue, so the Netherlands had to bowl Thailand out. Iris Zwilling provided the double breakthrough by cleaning both Sutthiruang and top batter Chantham. A little later it was suddenly 136 for 8 and the Netherlands had by far the best chances of winning.
It was Player of the Match Robine Rijke who had Kanoh caught (by Caroline de Lange at mid-off). Shortly after, it was debutant Phebe Molkenboer who took the last catch, giving Iris Zwilling her third wicket and the Netherlands the win.
After the pioneering work of Sean Trouw, national coach Shane Deitz has invested a lot of time and energy in bringing the playing standard to a higher level step by step. That approach is now bearing fruit. The Dutch team was already close to an ODI win in Chiang Mai in November last year. Meanwhile there are many players who can make crucial contributions to the end result.
Photo credit: Catch of the Day, Stijn de Leede
