Netherlands chalk up first win of the T20 World Cup Super 12s and all but end Zimbabwe's semi-final hopes with five-wicket win in Adelaide; Zimbabwe must beat India in their final game on Sunday and hope other results go their way to have any chance of making the last four
Thursday 3 November 2022 08:03, UK
Zimbabwe's hopes of making the T20 World Cup semi-finals for the first time are all but over after a damaging five-wicket defeat to Netherlands in Adelaide.
Zimbabwe could reach five points if they shock one of the tournament favourites India in Melbourne on Sunday but their current low net run-rate means they look certain to miss out on the top two even if other sides have the same points tally in Group 2 and they will be eliminated on Thursday if South Africa beat Pakistan.
Zimbabwe paid the price for a disappointing batting display on what looked a good pitch, rolled for 117 in 19.2 overs with only Sikandar Raza (40 of 24) and Sean Williams (28 off 23) making double figures after captain Craig Ervine elected to bat.
Dutch seamer Paul van Meekeren picked up three wickets - his first as he bowled Wesley Madhevere for one - and fellow quicks Logan van Beek, Brandon Glover and Bas de Leede two scalps each to help tee up Netherlands' first win of the Super 12 stage, a victory that was largely clinched with the bat by Max O'Dowd (52).
De Leede sported stitches under his right eye having been hit by a delivery from Haris Rauf while batting during Sunday's defeat to Pakistan in Perth, but he showed no ill-effects of that blow as he struck twice, including removing Zimbabwe top-scorer Raza, and conceded only 14 runs from four overs.
Netherlands reached their target in 18 overs, with O'Dowd and Tom Cooper (32 off 29) sharing a second wicket-stand of 73 from 57 balls after the early dismissal off Stephan Myburgh (8).
Cooper's familiarity with this ground from years spent playing for South Australia in Australian domestic cricket showed as he struck two fours and a six before being caught by Madhevere at midwicket.
That scalp came at a cost for Zimbabwe with Madhevere appearing to twist his left ankle as he pouched the ball and subsequently hobbling off the field.
O'Dowd went on to complete a 45-ball, 11th T20 international fifty before he was caught at deep point, leaving De Leede to thump the winning four down the ground off Williams after Netherlands had stuttered slightly with the winning line in sight.
Netherlands' final game is against South Africa in Adelaide (midnight UK time Saturday night into Sunday morning), while Zimbabwe play India in Melbourne on Sunday (8am UK time).
