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Aus vs Hol: 20th Feb

Thursday, February 20 2003

Australia predictably cruised to a 75-run win against The Netherlands in Potchefstroom last night as they slipped back a gear against the enthusiastic Dutch players. In a rain-marred match, the Dutch restricted the Australian momentum early and with many rain breaks, the Australians never got into high-gear. As it turned out, they didn’t need to.

The Dutch managed to pick up two Australian wickets, those of Matt Hayden and Jimmy Maher. Maher was caught by van Bunge at fly slip and Hayden on the boundary trying to slog de Leede through mid-wicket but they were never in any trouble. Through frequent rain delays, the Australians tried to keep the run-rate up to beat the Duckworth-Lewis system as the match was reduced to 47 overs, then 44 then finally to 36. They totalled 2/170.

Damien Martyn batted sublimely for Australia with a polished 67 whilst the other batsmen all had some time in the middle. Hayden (33), Maher (26) and Lehmann (28*) all batted well but were never tested.

Best with the ball for The Netherlands was Tim de Leede who picked up both wickets to fall in finishing with 2/34. Roland Lefebvre bowled well early one with only 19 coming off his 8 overs.

A special note must be made of the fielding; the Dutch were excellent. They ran down everything in stopping balls headed for the boundary and caught well. If there’s one area which is their strength, fielding is certainly it as they are most certainly up to international standard.

The persistent rain meant that the target for victory was revised to 198 from 36 overs and Jason Gillespie wrecked the wrecked the innings early with 2/7 from 3 overs and then Ricky Ponting let the part-timers bowl for the rest of the innings. Time de Leede (24) and Luc van Troost (23) got some runs but other than that, the Dutch were contained by a tight Australian bowling attack.

Bichel (3/13 off 5 overs), Harvey (3/25 off 4.2 overs), Lehmann (2/27 off 8 overs) and Gillespie destroyed the Dutch middle-order, rending the game a non-contest.

So in the end, the Dutch hardly disgraced themselves in getting beaten by this powerful Australian side and will take a lot from their effort in the field and with the ball.

Australia 2/170 (D Martyn 67*, M Hayden 33; T de Leede 2/34)

The Netherlands 122 (T de Leede 24, L van Troost 23; Bichel 3/13, I Harvey 3/25)

Australia won by 75 runs (D/L)

Points: Australia 4

Cricket Web Player of the Match: Damien Martyn

Posted by Corey