Such is the depth of the Dutch side currently with all the youngsters coming through the ranks, they they could possibly field more than one National team out on the park on any given day.
Roelof van der Merwe rejoined the National squad for the 2nd T20I against Ireland in the T20I Tri-series and had an immediate impact, as he picked up 2/24 off his 4 overs and made crucial 37 runs to guide his team to victory.
Netherlands were comfortable winners in the 2nd consecutive T20I against Ireland as they chased down 158/6 set by their opponents in the 19th over, losing the same number of wickets en-route to their target.
Ireland were given a strong start as Stirling (27 off 16) and James Shannon (31 off 21) took them past 50 in the first 5 overs. However, Dutch bowlers came back well once for power play got over, to pick up regular wickets. Ireland skipper, Gary Wilson, played a crucial role in the team’s final total on board with an unbeaten 45 off 42 deliveries.
Seelaar, Klassen, Snater and van Meekeren picked up a wicket each for their combined efforts with the ball.
Tobias Visee (25 off 15) and Maxwell O’Dowd (39 off 24) provided the quick start, racing off to over 35 in the first 4 overs but Ireland came back strongly to peg them back to 81/3 in the 9th over. The crucial 39 runs partnership for the 5th wicket between van der Merwe and Pieter Seelaar (22 n.o off 19) in 32 deliveries took them much closer to their target.
A small stutter as van der Merwe and Sikander Zulfiqar departed quickly but Scott Edwards got two off to the boundary in the final two deliveries of the 19th saw them through to victory.
Netherlands now play Scotland in the next two T20I games of the Series. With both teams carrying good form and confidence into the matches, the contests should be absolute crackers to watch.
Scotland batting on paper looks more consistent than the Dutch, while the bowlers will be looking forward to continue the good work put in the past few days.
