Zimbabwe wins third Dafabet ODI and the Series
Published at 25 March, 2023After the narrow loss by one run in the second game, the Netherlands were keen to recover. However, in the 'final' of the best of three, a poor batting performance (231) was insufficient to make it difficult for Zimbabwe. The hosts won by seven wickets.
The Netherlands chose to bat first. Max O'Dowd and Vikram Singh – helped by a dropped catch from keeper Madande) ensured a steady start (53/0/10). O'Dowd (38) was caught at mid off (67/1/13.3) and when shortly after Singh fell for 27 (69/2/16.2), Musa Ahmad and Colin Ackermann formed the new pair.
They made a partnership of sixty runs for the third wicket. Both had a 'start', but neither was able to bat through as an ‘anchor’. The second fifty cost the Netherlands 89 balls and when Musa (29) was dismissed as the third wicket, the run rate had dropped to only 4.37 per over (129/3).
Wesley Barresi, in the team for Tom Cooper, did not last long (132/4) and when Ackermann (37 off 55) was bowled, the Netherlands suddenly faced a mediocre score of 147/5.
After forty overs, Edwards and Nidamanuru (18) tried to accelerate, but the spinners did not make that easy. When Nidamanuru was clean bowled it was 184/6/43.3. Edwards swept his way to 34 (beauty by Williams). The youngsters Dutt (15 off 14) and Shariz (14 off 13) ran well between the wickets and brought the final score to 231/9. Eight men recorded double figures, but there weren’t any half centuries to celebrate. Williams took 3-41.
Craig Ervine and Wessly Madhevere were looking good for the first wicket until Ervine (44) was brilliantly caught by Nidamanuru off the bowling of Shariz Ahmad (96/1/18). Madhevere fell victim to the same bowler immediately after reaching his 50 (103/2, ct Ackermann).
With Garry Ballance (33 years of age) and Sean Williams (36 years of age) there was a very experienced pair on the pitch who were in no hurry. They only had to make little over four runs per over. Without a fielder on the cow corner boundary, it was risk-free for both lefthanders to hit with the spin. Pretty quickly, the target of 232 came closer.
Despite economical bowling by offspinner Aryan Dutt (0-31 in ten overs), Zimbabwe never got into trouble. Although Klaassen provided the proverbial 'glimmer of hope' by bowling Williams (43) (199/3), Zimbabwe did not lose any more wickets before hitting the winning runs: 235/3. Gary Balance was unbeaten on 64.
All in all, it was an interesting series. Of course it is tempting to philosophise about whether the absent Roelof van der Merwe, Tim Pringle, Logan van Beek and Bas de Leede could have made the difference. On the other hand, it was an achievement that - even without these key players - the Netherlands forced Full Member Zimbabwe to the utmost to win the series.
Photo credit: Talent Zvanyanya/Zimbabwe cricket
