Scotland coach Grant Bradburn has expressed his disappointment at losing a tightly-contested ICC International Cup match against Netherlands but at the same time he has praised the home side for holding its nerve to win the battle between the joint-winners of the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier 2015.
Scotland, chasing 201 runs to record a come from behind victory in a match dominated by the bowlers, was in tatters when Netherlands left-arm spinner Roelof van der Merwe (three for 52) reduced it to 52 for five. Richie Berrington (59) and wicketkeeper Rob Taylor (52) then lifted their side to 145 for five by adding 93 runs for the sixth wicket.
Just before lunch on the final day on Friday, Michael Rippon accounted for Berrington and then, after the break, Netherlands captain Peter Borren ripped the heart out of Scotland’s lower middle-order with figures of four for one in 20 deliveries as the visitors were sent packing for 156.
Netherlands’ 44 runs victory, its first since 2008 in this competition, earned it 20 maximum points, which has put it on top of the points table – six ahead of defending champions Ireland and Namibia. The two sides will face off each other in their second round fixture in Windhoek from 24 October.
Bradburn, the former New Zealand off-spinner, said one more partnership would have done the trick for his side.
“It was an intense three days play and, of course, disappointing not to finish on the right side of the ledger. But we have to tip the hat and say they scrapped well in the dog-fight and did enough to get over the line,” said Bradburn after 40 wickets fell in the last three days of cricket following a wash-out of the opening day’s play.
“We knew from early on in the game that runs were going to be hard to come by and you were going to have to work really hard to earn runs, with the track keeping on the lower-side and little bit of seam and spin in the first few days.
“We just lacked another really big partnership, like we had between Richie and Rob, and were undone by the break really, with Richie getting out just before lunch and then Peter Borren doing the damage to finish us off.
“We were out-scrapped in the end, and just needed to hold on for a bit longer during our innings,” said Bradburn.
Dutch coach Anton Roux was delighted with his side’s victory and paid tribute to Borren and van der Merwe.
“Borren has played over 100 matches for the Netherlands, and he always knows what he is doing. He showed his skills as captain once again today, picking up four wickets, and turning the game on its head,” Roux said, adding: “Van der Merwe has put in a great bowling performance for us, and his inputs with the bat were also vital.
“Overall, it has been a fantastic all-round effort from the guys. This was a true old-fashion four-day win for us.”
Roux, however, admitted that batting was a concern for him. “The batting is still a bit of an issue. It will be our next big challenge, to buck up as individuals and work on big batting performances.
“Once the individuals get their eye in, the big hundred or big scores that bury the other teams and give us wins will be important for us. We are working on it, and the guys are aware of it, so I believe we are very close to seeing some good performances with the bat too.”
Netherlands and Scotland will now play in two 50-over ICC World Cricket League Championship matches in Amstelveen on 14 and 16 September.
Looking ahead to the two games, Roux said: “For the upcoming one-day matches, our preparation will not be too different from what it has always been like. We are getting together again on Sunday, and will discuss on few things we want to work on.”
Scores in brief:
Netherlands beat Scotland by 44 runs in Voorburg
Netherlands 210 (Roelof van der Werve 73, Stephan Myburgh 35, Michael Rippon 30; Josh Davey 3-36, Safyaan Sharif 2-34, Con de Lange 2-39, Alasdair Evans 2-57) and 123 (Michael Rippon 37, Stephan Myburgh 31; Josh Davey 3-43, Richie Berrington 2-7, Safyaan Shafiq 2-8)
Scotland 133 (Rob Taylor 46, Safyaan Sharif 32; Vivian Kingma 4-36, Paul van Meerkeren 2-20, Roelof van der Werwe 2-49) and 156 (Richie Berrington 59, Rob Taylor 52; Peter Borren 4-1, Roelof van der Merwe 3-52)
Points Table
Team Played Won Lost Draw Points
Netherlands 2 1 1 - 26
Ireland 1 1 - - 20
Namibia 1 1 - - 20
PNG 1 1 - - 14
Scotland 2 - - 2 13
Afghanistan 1 - - 1 7
Hong Kong 1 - 1 - 0
UAE 1 - 1 - 0
