Netherlands vs Essex – Clydesdale Bank 40 – Netherlands maintain their impressive start with thumping win over Essex
Netherlands defeated Essex by five wickets to maintain their impressive run in the Clydesdale Bank 40 competition, nailing down a lowly target of 113 with 83 balls to spare at their home ground, Sportpark Thurlede, Schiedam, on May 29, 2012.
After toppling Lancashire in a close finish a day before, the Dutch produced a dominating performance in front of their home fans. They reduced the tourists to just 112 in a rain-hit 36-over match, before chasing down the target, courtesy a brisk knock from
opener Michael Swart (40).
Essex decided to bat first but their charge dealt a significant blow as early as the first over, with Timm van der Gugten claiming two wickets. The pacer removed Mark Pettini on the first ball of the innings before sending back the dangerous Owais Shah two
balls later.
Alviro Petersen hung around to make 8 before becoming the pacer’s third victim. Tom Westley (32) stabilised one end but wickets continued to tumble from the other with Adam Wheater, skipper James Foster and Greg Smith, all departing on single digit scores.
Graham Napier then offered resilience by adding 28, and shared a valuable 45-run stand with Tim Phillips (17), which helped his side to cross 100. However, the Dutch bowlers were always in command and ensured that their opponents were bowled out inside their
full quota of overs, 33.3.
The chase was swift despite Stephan Myburgh perishing in the second over, off Napier. Swart and Tom Cooper shared a valuable stand of 47 for the second wicket, after which the later fell off Phillips.
The spinner than returned to pick a couple of more, including the prized one of Swart but it remained a little too late. The middle order chipped in with decent scores, while Wesley Barresi’s brisk unbeaten 20-run knock ensured that his side completed victory
in 22.1 overs.
The victory sees the Dutch side maintaining their top spot in Group A, where they have opened a four-point game between themselves and second placed Gloucestershire. For Essex, they still remain in search for their first win of the tournament, languishing
second from bottom with just 1 point.
Holland will now travel to Lord’s to take on Middlesex on June 3.