(Cricket News) Netherlands made history last night as they earned their first victory against a test playing nation in the ODI World Cup. The Dutch have made it a habit of beating South Africa, as they emerged victorious the last time they faced each other at the 2022 T20 World Cup.

The game was reduced to 43 overs due to rain. Seeing the wet and slow pitch, South Africa won the toss, and they decided to bowl first. This proved to be a good decision by the Proteas, as the Netherlands were 41-3 at the end of the powerplay.

Brilliant bowling by the South African bowlers did not allow the Netherlands topp six batsmen to cross 50. The pace Quardret of Lungi Ngidi, Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada, and Gerald Coetzee bowled tight lines and lengths, restricting the Dutch to a score of 112-6 at the end of the 27th over. 

Out came the Netherlands skipper, Scott Edwards, and he played one of the best knocks in this edition of the World Cup so far. He scored an unbeaten 78 of 69 deliveries, taking the South African bowlers to the cleaners, setting up a respectable total for Netherlands to defend. 

End of first innings: Netherlands 245-8; Scott Edwards 78 (69); Roelof van der Merwe 29 (19); Marco Jansen 8-27-1-2; Kagiso Rabada 9-56-1-2.

South Africa were put under pressure right away from the Netherlands bowlers as they kept bowling dot balls, making the South African batters feel uncomfortable. Too many dot balls forced South Africa to play rash shots, which inevitably got the batsman out. David Miller and Heinrich Klaasen kept the hopes of the South Africans alive, but Logan Van Beek had other plans, getting the set pair out. 

South Africa was dismissed for 207 in 42.5 overs. This was a loss the Proteas would like to forget as they try their best to remove the ‘choker’ tag given to them. 

End of second innings: South Africa 207-10; David Miller 43 (52); Keshav Maharaj 40 (37); Logan Van Beek 8.5-60-0-3; Roelof van der Merwe 9-34-0-2.

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