ODI debutant ensures unranked Netherlands beat Zimbabwe

The Netherland's will be hoping for a series clean sweep over more fancied Zimbabwe.

With the majority of the cricketing world binging on the current World Cup, much has been said about the dominance of the big four and the culling of sides, down from 16 in 2007, and 14 in 2011 and 2015 to just 10 sides in this edition of the World Cup. While New Zealand continued their dominance in this years world cup with a victory over South Africa, the Netherlands made a serious statement of their own by totally outplaying Zimbabwe.

Their dominance was that impressive that the Netherlands sealed victory with seven wickets and more than four overs remaining in a 47-over reduced game.

It was the kind of game that would have been perfectly suited for the ICC World Cup, and to be played on Television. The unranked nation, the underdog would secure the victory on the back of an uncapped ODI debutant. Opening batsman Max O'Dowd, who on debut, batted through the innings to ensure a chase of 206 was as straightforward as possible. The 25-year old made 82 off 116 balls. It makes many question what could have been if sides like this were included in the World Cup.

After winning the toss and electing to bat, the Zimbabwe top order failed to fire. Brendan Taylor tried his best, and continued his great international form, making 71 off 85 even as the wickets fell around him. He strode to the crease at 39 for 2 and watched the innings unravel to 127 for 6. But, through it all he stayed firm and struck seven fours and two sixes, before finally being dismissed in the 40th over. Tail-enders Kyle Jarvis (32*) and Donald Tiripano (21) hoisted the Zimbabweans over 200.

There were several high-lights for the Dutch with the ball in hand, with Fred Klaasen (2-29), Paul van Meekeran (2-30) and Pieter Seelaar (2-32) restricting Zimbabwe to a manageable total of just 205 from their 47 overs.

Tobias Visee kick-started the chase with six fours in a knock of 28. But he was dismissed by Ainsley Ndlovu, who became the 26th player in ODI history to pick up a wicket with his first ball. Max O’Dowd took control of the Dutch innings from that dismissal, and though the Netherlands stumbled, losing 3 wickets for just seven runs to be 117 for 3, his calmness under pressure denied Zimbabwe any further opportunities to get back into the game.

Left-arm orthodox spinner Sean Williams picked up the other two wickets for Zimbabwe, but Wesley Barresi joined O’Dowd at the crease to ensure a seven wicket win. THE STAR

Uncapped O'Dowd was the star for the Netherlands.

Mark O’Dowd’s spectacular ODI debut ensured a that the unranked Netherlands would beat the 11th ranked Zimbabwe side and set the emerging country up for a chance at a series white-wash, which will help the nation accure enough points to be ranked. His innings, although slow by the 7-8 an over innings we have seen recently, was perfectly paced for the run chase. He hit ten fours and failed to hit a six as he remained unbeaten on 87 as the winning runs were struck. WHAT NEXT - Netherlands and Zimbabwe will face off again in the Second ODI from Deventer, before playing two T20I’s.