November 28, 2024
Zim draw first blood in first ODI match against the Netherlands
The Zimbabwe select XI sealed a comfortably 93-run victory against the visiting Dutchmen
THE Zimbabwe select XI strolled past the Netherlands as they won by a comfortable 93-runs in the first of their 3-match ODI series against the visitors played at the Harare Sports Club on Wednesday.
It may be an unofficial series, but the Chevrons are certainly taking their encounter with the Netherlands seriously if Wednesday’s performance at the Harare Sports Club was anything to go by.
The Zimbabwe select XI sealed a comfortably 93-run victory against the visiting Dutchmen in the first ODI of the unofficial 3-match series at the Harare Sports Club.
Having won the toss, the hosts chose to bat first with Hamilton Masakadza and Solomon Mire putting up an impressive 102 runs for the first wicket with the latter the first to fall off the bowling of Rippon. Craig Ervine was the next Dutch scalp with the veteran only able to add 5 runs to the scorecard before he was sent back for an early shower.
Moments later, the visitors were at it again and this time it was Masakanda who was next to go for a single digit score (9) as the Netherlands threatened to curb the Chevrons early momentum with Zimbabwe on 140/3. However, Sean Williams stabilized things for the hosts as he and Mire formed a solid partnership with the latter going on to record a well-deserved century before he was caught out by Klassen for 128 with the hosts on 238/4.
Williams (62) followed suit 28 runs later, with Raza (36) the last batsman to post a decent score. Waller (15), Cremer (12) and Chatara (12) kept things somewhat ticking with Zimbabwe eventually folding for a commanding 347 runs.
In response, the Netherlands were put to the sword quite early as the visitors found themselves on the brink of one of the most embarrassing defeats having lost 5 wickets for just 37 runs. But the visitors’ middle order batsmen Borren (115) and Zulfiqar (55) put in an outstanding 6th wicket partnership of 153 runs as they attempted to stage an unlikely fight-back.
Perhaps some local fans would have felt that the hosts could have wrapped things up much earlier given that at some stage it looked like the visitors were not going to make it past the 100 mark. Nevertheless, it was Waller who ultimately stumped Zulfiqar to quash the Neherlands resistance.
After that point, the rest of the visitors batting order never offered much resistance as they were eventually bowled out for 254 to give Zimbabwe a well-deserved 93-run victory. – By Carlo Chikomba
