<
>

Netherlands prevail in tense match

Netherlands Women 117 for 8 (Rambaldo 38, Kenealy 3-17) beat Ireland Women 116 by two wickets
Scorecard

Netherlands Women added to their success in the Women's European Championship with a tense two-wicket victory over Ireland Women in the only ODI at the Kampong ground in Utrecht. A straightforward win seemed on the cards after Ireland folded for 116 but Netherlands had a collapse of their own to nearly end up losing.

The day began poorly for Ireland, losing first the toss and then a wicket off the opening delivery of the match. Three overs later their captain Isobel Joyce was gone, caught behind. Opener Kim Garth and Laura Delany then put on 38, the most substantial partnership of the innings. Regular wickets followed as Ireland lurched from 43 for 2 to 92 for 8.

Netherlands' home advantage in this match was heightened by the fact that no less than five of their players play their club cricket at Kampong. Nevertheless, they also lost one opener early but the other, Helmien Rambaldo, forged two solid partnerships to guide her team to the comfort of 80 for 2. Ireland hit back, picking up five wickets for 12 runs but Netherlands held their nerve. Ireland didn't help their cause with 35 extras (including 28 wides).

NL Women 2nd innings Partnerships

WktRunsPlayers
1st5HW RambaldoM Veringmeier
2nd41HW RambaldoCA Salomons
3rd34HW RambaldoE Lanser
4th2HW RambaldoCM de Groot
5th0VCE WattenbergCM de Groot
6th8CM de GrootD Hannema
7th2ELT de LangeD Hannema
8th18ELT de LangeL Brouwers
9th7ELT de LangeLK Bennett