Third and fourth T20I prey for strong Netherlands
Published at 19 June, 2024Whilst the Netherlands had the better of Hong Kong on Monday and Tuesday, the Dutch also proved too strong for Hong Kong in the final two HCLTech T20Is on Wednesday. In the third T20I, the Netherlands turned a mediocre start into a handsome win.
The Netherlands let Hong Kong bat first. The first wicket fell on 26 when Caroline de Lange took a good catch and bowler Iris Zwilling still got her reward.
Previously Natasha Miles (34) was dropped off her bowling on six. It turned out not to be an extremely expensive miss, because at 34 she played on to Caroline de Lange (56/3). Before that, Hannah Landheer had bowled Shazad with a ball that came in nicely (44/2).
A brilliant one-handed catch from Iris Zwilling at mid on led to 78/5. Orange now managed to curb Hong Kong's scoring ambitions and limit the Asians to 114/7. The five Dutch bowlers were all successful; with 2-19, Hannah Landheer had the best figures.
Innings Netherlands
Iris Zwilling and Phebe Molkenboer brought their team to 23/1 at a pleasant runrate.
The Netherlands reached 109/2 thanks to a fantastic partnership between Babette de Leede (21) and Robine Rijke (50 of 28 balls with 7x4 and 1x6). Both players were dismissed, but a Dutch victory was inevitable.
Fourth T20I
In the fourth and final game, the Netherlands opted to bat first. After another difficult start, Babette de Leede (30) and Robine Rijke brought the score to 62/3/8.1. Rijke and Sanya Khurana (a career-best 27) added another 70 for the fourth wicket.
Rijke reached her second fifty of the day in the sixteenth over and finished on a great 84 not out off 51 balls, well supported by Carlijn van Koolwijk with 10 from seven. The Dutch set a monster score of 169/5.
Hong Kong innings
Robine Rijke dismissed - this time as a fielder - the opening pair, including the dangerous Natasha Miles.
Hong Kong couldn't get over that disastrous start. Halfway through the innings it was 45/2. Although Shanzeen Shazad (39) played a fine innings, Hong Kong - thanks in part to a fantastic catch from Iris Zwilling at long on - only managed 86/8. For the Netherlands, Silver Siegers, Frédérique Overdijk and Caroline de Lange took two wickets each.
