UTRECHT, Netherlands – Ireland Pacemen Josh Little and Craig Young wrecked the Netherlands top order, before Paul Stirling and skipper Andrew Balbirnie powered Ireland to a clinical 8-wicket victory over the Netherlands in the second ODI at SV Kampong in Utrecht on Friday.
After winning the toss and choosing to bat first, the Dutch team made an impressive start with openers Stephen Myburgh and Max O’Dowd ammasing 44 runs for the first wicket before Josh Little yet again changed the course of the match.
Bowling with consistent pace of just under 90m/hr (144 km/h), Little firstly removed Myburgh (11) and then Ben Cooper in the next ball. Varying angles and coming around the wicket to O’Dowd (36), the pacer then got rid of the Dutch opener.
After a brief 27 run stand between skipper Pieter Seelaar (11) and Bas de Leede (23), both players too walked back in the pavilion within the space of four deliveries and Netherlands were left at 85-5 in the 28th over.
Saq Zulfiqar, pulled a hamstring, taking on a quick single to Harry Tector at mid-wicket, forcing him to retire hurt, while the tail eked out late runs, Dutchs were eventually all out for the score of 157.
For Ireland, Craig Young (4-18) and Josh Little (4-39) bowled brilliantly and were well supported by Andy McBrine (1-28) and Barry McCarthy (1-33) who both delivered tight lines and with great control.
In reply, Ireland lost William Porterfield for 0, however, Paul Stirling (52) and Andrew Balbirnie (63*) shared a 82-run partnership to put Ireland in complete control of the innings. The duo looked confident at the field throughout as Stirring notched up his half-century from 61 deliveries, but fell soon got dismissed after miscuing a ball to mid-on.
During the innings Stirling became the first batsman in world cricket to breach 500 runs in ODI cricket in 2021 – having hit 541 runs since January at a brilliant average of 90.16, with three centuries and two half centuries.
Harry Tector (30*) joined Balbirnie and the duo put up an unbeaten 67-run stand to guide Ireland home. Josh Little was chosen Player of the Match and has claimed seven wickets at an average of 10.14 in this series with an impressive economy rate of 3.55 runs per over.
MATCH SUMMARY
Netherlands Men v Ireland Men, 2nd ODI, Utrecht, 4 June 2021
Netherlands 157 (49.2 overs; M O’Dowd 36; C Young 4-18, J Little 4-39)
Ireland 158-2 (43 overs; A Balbirnie 63*, P Stirling 52; L van Beek 1-34)
Ireland Men won by 8 wickets
