ODI World Cup 2023: Netherlands beats South Africa by 38 runs

The Netherlands stunned the cricketing world by defeating South Africa by 38 runs. South Africa once again faltered against the Dutch side just like they did last year in the T20 World Cup. Roelof van der Merwe’s all-round performance ensured the win for the Netherlands. Here is a recap of the second innings.

South Africa started well in the powerplay

Aryan Dutt after a quickfire cameo with the bat in the first innings opened the bowling for the Netherlands. The Dutch bowler bowled a maiden over against South African skipper, Temba Bavuma. Logan van Beek bowled from the opposite end and was hit for a four as he conceded eight runs in his first over. Bavuma too scored his first boundary in the third over against Dutt. Colin Ackermann replaced van Beek and started with just a single run in his first over. He was expensive in his second over as he was hit for a six and a four by Bavuma. Bowling his third over, Ackermann repaid the faith shown in him by the skipper as he dismissed de Kock on the last ball of his over.

The Netherlands strangled South Africa with quick wickets

Van der Merwe came into the attack in the 10th over and straightaway made an impact by dismissing the South African skipper on his first ball. It was a slider which deceived Bavuma who was playing for the turn and was knocked over. Bavuma scored 16 runs in 31 balls hitting two fours and one six. Paul van Meekeren bowling his second over bowled Aiden Markram with a top-of-off delivery. Van der Merwe struck again in the following over dismissing Rassie van der Dussen. Van der Dussen was playing the reverse sweep and even found a decent connection but it went straight to Aryan Dutt at backward point.

David Miller and Heinrich Klassen provide some relief

South Africa was reduced to 46/4 in a matter of a few balls. David Miller and Heinrich Klassen then stitched up a crucial partnership for the Proteas. Both batters are known for their aggressive style. The duo started slow with a couple of quiet overs. They scored 13 runs in the first 18 balls they faced. Klassen smashed van Meekeren for a four in the 15th over and Miller smashed a six in the next over against van der Merwe. Klassen then hit a four in the following over as Aryan Dutt came back into the attack. 

Quick wickets get the Netherlands on top

Van Beek came back into the attack in the 19th over after bowling just one over with the new ball. The Dutch all-rounder made an instant impact dismissing Klassen and breaking the 45-run stand. Klassen scored 28 runs in 28 balls hitting four fours. The Dutch bowlers bowled with control allowing only 12 runs in four overs (20-23). Van der Merwe almost sealed the game for the Dutch in the 24th over as he induced a false shot from Miller. Miller dancing down lofted the ball towards long-on where Bas de Leede dropped a potentially match-winning catch. In the following over, van Meekeren bowled Marco Jansen on the last ball of the 25th over.

Gerald Coetzee smashed van Meekeren for a four and a six in the 27th over resulting in a 11-run over. Coetzee smashed another four in the next over. Miller then took the attack against van Beek smashing him for two fours. South Africa scored 27 runs in just three overs. Van der Merwe got back into the attack after the expensive overs and conceded just two runs in his over. Van Beek after an expensive over bounced back in style and dismissed Miller in his next over. Miller scored 43 runs in 52 balls hitting four fours and one six. After Miller’s wicket, South Africa still needed more than 100 runs to win. In the following two overs, the required rate jumped to 10 RPO as van der Merwe and van Beek bowled two overs conceding just two runs. The quiet overs induced a false shot as Coetzee top-edged a ball from de Leede which wicketkeeper Scott Edwards caught. Coetzee scored 22 runs in 23 balls hitting two fours and one six.