Canada crushed by Netherlands

Netherlands notched up a frolicking 117-run victory over hosts Canada in the first of two ODIs between the two nations, at Toronto’s Cricket, Skating and Curling Club. Winning the toss and batting first, the Dutch put together a comprehensive score thanks to contributions from almost all of the top and middle order. They followed it up with an impressive bowling performance that if it weren’t for lower order resistance from Canada would have ensured a margin of victory even more emphatic than 117 runs.

Canada came into the match after just narrowly missing the four-day game between the two sides, but it did not take long for the Dutch top order to show that there is a significant difference in the quality of cricket between the two sides. While Canada looked amateurish, the Netherlands batsmen applied themselves in a professional manner, suggesting that they deserve to be among the top four associates.

Of note were the innings by Darron Reekers and Eric Szwarczynski who scored 44 and 51 respectively, and especially Peter Borren, who wound up the bowling with nine fours and four sixes to score 96 off just 69 balls. This was Borren’s first international half century, proving his worth as an important middle to lower-middle order batsman.

Canada’s response after being set a target of 290 was lackluster at best, until Sunil Dhaniram, who earlier was the pick of the hosts’ bowlers, showed some lower-order fireworks. At one point of time, the hosts were reduced to 73-8, a result of some poor batting coupled with disciplined bowling from the Dutch pacemen Edgar Schiferli, Billy Stelling and Mudassar Bukhari. Dhaniram smashed ten fours in his 55 off the same number of deliveries and Steven Welsh and Henry Osinde put together a 45-run partnership for the last wicket, that prevented a result more embarrassing for Canada.

The two sides play again tomorrow in the second ODI at the same ground, with Netherlands going in clearly as the favorites.

Netherlands 289-7 in 50 overs
Darron Reekers 44, Eric Szwarczynski 51, Peter Borren 96
Henry Osinder 2-42, Sunil Dhaniram 2-39

Canada 172 all out in 43 overs
Sunil Dhaniram 55, Steven Welsh 32
Edgar Schiferli 3-18, Billy Stelling 2-47, Mudassar Bukhari 3-24

Man of the Match: Peter Borren (Netherlands)

Netherlands won by 117 runs