Dutch courage wins in Dharamshala

There was a moment towards the end of the Netherlands innings when South African spinner Keshav Maharaj raised his hands behind his head and looked on in despair and puzzlement. Not for the first time South African fielders overran the ball or allowed a single to turn into a four. After having Netherlands on the ropes for 140-7, the total reached 208 before the next wicket fell. The final tally of 245 was not insurmountable by any means but just as in the England-Afghanistan match, the underdogs were allowed to reach a respectable score. Led by captain Scott Edwards (78 n.o.) the Dutch had something to bowl to. As cricket veterans will aver, runs on the board always count.

It wasn’t, as some commentators pronounced, the thinner air at Dharamshala that did the Proteas in. The Dutch may not be a match in talent and experience but they exhibited a rare self-belief and their energy never flagged despite the rarified air. In Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi South Africa have two top class quicks who can trouble the best in the world. Marco Jansen is no slouch with the ball either. Maharaj has rediscovered himself as an accurate spinner. And the top order has been a roaring success in the opening matches. The floating ball at Dharamshala had nothing to do with the result — South Africa simply could not match the red hot intensity of the Dutch team willing itself to snatch a famous victory.

Roelof van der Merwe’s eyes glinted with resolve after he got Temba Bavuma just as the South African captain was finding his stride. But he did not allow the moment or the occasion to overwhelm him. On a pitch that looked good despite some rain that curtailed the match to 43 overs a side, van der Merwe kept it simple, targeting the stumps in a straight wicket-to-wicket line. As 38 he is no spring chicken and the former South African international brought all his experience to bear against the country of his birth. His fierce competitiveness rubbed off on the Dutch team and Paul van Meekeren got the dangerous Aiden Markram, who stood rooted to his crease as the ball crashed into his stumps, and South Africa were 32-3 in just over 10 overs.

At 89-5, the odds began to change rapidly. The total was still in sight but by now South Africa’s reputation as the world’s top chockers began to suffuse the atmosphere at the Dharamshala Cricket Stadium. After a mini-recovery, Jansen fell when the score was 109 and the Proteas slid inexorably to defeat with David Miller and Gerald Coetzee following suit. In contrast, Netherlands last man Aryan Dutt has smashed 23 in nine balls. By now it was apparent that the asking rate was beyond South Africa and all the Dutchmen needed to do was to bowl legal deliveries and complete 43 overs. In the event Maharaj was the last to go leaving Netherlands victors by 38 runs.

Earlier in the evening, the gifted Quinton de Cock flattered to deceive. The fluency and class he brings to the crease is a sight to behold but the left hander can surprise himself and his fans. De Cock’s leg stump guard has been discussed as to whether this makes it more difficult to move across the crease. Yet, a leg guard can, contrary to critics, allow a player of de Cock’s calibre to move forward and across, shift to the backfoot and swivel if needed. The ball from Colin Ackerman was quite innocuous, drifting across the stumps and de Cock played too soon, spooning a touch to the wicket keeper. Most other batters made the mistake of remaining rooted to the crease, welded to the spot in indecision.

The Dutch team has been getting scores of above 200 which are not enough to win matches. But it does show they are not utter rookies any more. They do qualify for world cups and shut out more pedigreed sides. On Tuesday evening they came of age, holding their nerve and playing great cricket. On the other hand, South Africa, as they have so often before, allowed their mental demons to get the better of them.

DharamsalaICC MEN’S CRICKET WORLD CUPNetherlandsSouth Africa