Black Caps continue winning vein; beat Netherlands comfortably

(HYDERABAD): Beaten finalists of the last World Cup, New Zealand continued on their winning vein without captain Kane Williamson who has not fully recovered from his injury but is expected to feature later in the tournament, when they secured a 99-run win over Netherlands in their World Cup match played at Hyderabad Monday.

On a slow pitch New Zealand invited to bat first had to work really hard to get past the 300-run mark courtesy half-centuries from Will Young, Rachin Ravindra and acting captain Tom Latham after which left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner turned it on with a five-wicket haul that saw Netherlands shut out for 223.

Following maidens in the first three overs New Zealand finally got going in the fourth when Will Young clipped Ryan Klein for four on his way to a top score of 70 off 80 balls (7 fours, 2 sixes). With Devon Conway (32), Young gave New Zealand a decent start posting 67. Young stitched together another 77-run stand with the in-form Rachin Ravindra who followed his century in the first game against England with a run-a-ball 51 (3 fours, 1 six).

Daryl Mitchell (48 from 47 balls, 5 fours, 2 sixes) and Latham (53 off 46 balls, 6 fours, 1 six) ensured New Zealand continued with their momentum, but it was Mitchell Santner’s cameo knock of 36* off 17 balls (3 fours, 2 sixes) that saw New Zealand score 45 off the final three overs and go past the 300-run mark.

On a slow pitch that was challenging for a new batsman, Netherlands lost wickets quite regularly to put up any kind of resistance. Colin Ackerman’s 69 off 73 balls (5 fours) was the best effort, but partnerships were few and far between to challenge New Zealand’s total.

Santner was equally brilliant with the ball picking up wickets at crucial moments of the game to end with figures of 5/59. He found appreciable turn to make life uneasy for the Dutch. 

– (ST)

Scores: New Zealand 322-7 (50) (Devon Conway 32, Will Young 70, Rachin Ravindra 51, Daryl Mitchell 48, Tom Latham 53, Mitchell Santner 36*, Aryan Dutt 2/62, Paul van Meekeren 2/59, Roelof van der Merwe 2/56)

Netherlands 223 (46.3) (Colin Ackerman 69, Teja Nidamanuru 21, Scott Edwards 30, Matt Henry 3/40, Mitchell Santner 5/59)