Netherlands Dreams of Semi-Final at Cricket World Cup 2023 After South Africa Surprise
Skipper Scott Edwards says team entered the tournament hoping for a crack at the semifinals
Netherlands Dreams Of Semi-Final At Cricket World Cup 2023 After South Africa SurpriseWith two victories, a defeat, and four points, South Africa is now in third place. With one win and two losses, the Netherlands are eighth.Asian News Worldwideupdated @ 9:59 AM IST on October 18, 2023Time to Read: 2 min.
Netherlands Dreams Of Semi-Final At Cricket World Cup 2023 After South Africa Surprise
AFP reports that Netherlands overcame South Africa to earn their first victory of the 2023 World Cup.
Netherlands skipper Scott Edwards said he is happy of the squad for their success and entered the competition expecting for a crack at the semifinals after his team's 38-run victory over South Africa in their ICC Cricket World Cup game. Two days after Afghanistan shocked everyone by defeating England, the Netherlands stunned South Africa at Dharamshala thanks to a three-wicket haul from Logan van Beek, a half-century from captain Scott Edwards, and an all-around performance from Roelof van der Merwe.
"Hopefully there will be a few more victories. I wanted to take it deep in hopes that a few other players around me would contribute, and we were fortunate enough to achieve that score in the end since too many of our middle-order batters were being out before the finish of the game during the last couple of games. Roelof van der Merwe is entertaining to bat with because he runs quickly and smacks the ball in some unusual places, which is entertaining to see from the other end. He was breaking the ropes as soon as I put him (Aryan Dutt) on strike. He is talented, and now is the chance to show it all. The team makes me proud. It is a good result for us since we entered the competition hoping to have a chance to go to the semi-finals. However, in order to achieve so, you have to defeat teams, and the way South Africa is playing right now makes them one of the favorites.
Coming to the game, South Africa reduced Netherlands to 112/6 by giving them the first opportunity to bat. However, Edwards' hits and his quick-fire partnerships with Roelef van der Merwe (29 in 19 balls; three fours; one six); and Aryan Dutt (23 in 9 balls; three sixes) enabled Netherlands to reach 245/8 in 43 overs. Due to rain, the game was reduced to 43 overs per side.
The top South African bowlers were Marco Jansen (2/28), Kagiso Rabada (2/56) and Lungi Ngidi (2/56) respectively. Keshav Maharaj and Gerald Coetzee each secured a wicket.
Proteas consistently lost wickets while chasing 246. SA was bowled out for 207 in 42.5 overs despite valiant middle/lower order performances from David Miller (43 in 52 balls, with four boundaries and a six), Keshav Maharaj (40 in 37 balls, with five fours and a six), Heinrich Klaasen (28) and Gerald Coetzee (22).
For the Netherlands, Logan Van Beek (3/60) was the bowler of choice. Bas De Leede, Paul Van Meekeran, and Roelef van der Merwe each claimed two wickets. One wicket came from Colin Ackermann.
With two victories, a defeat, and four points, South Africa is now in third place. With one win and two losses, the Netherlands are eighth.
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