UTRECHT, Netherlands – Netherlands edged past Ireland in the first ODI by 1 run at SV Kampong in Utrecht on Wednesday.
After winning the toss and choosing to bat first, the Netherlands side made a flying start with openers Stephen Myburgh and Max O’Dowd picking the boundary regularly.
Skipper Andrew Balbirnie then brought in bowling changes at both ends and was immediately rewarded with Simi Singh getting rid of O’Dowd LBW for 23 off his second ball to shift the momentum considerably on the Irish side's within the space of seven balls.
Josh Little inflicted further damage as the left-arm seamer dismissed Ben Cooper (6) and Pieter Seelaar (0) from his first and third deliveries. Through intense pace, Little removed Scott Edwards (1) in the next over, to reduce the Dutch side to 53-5.
Saq Zulfiqar (23) and Bas de Leede (21) attempted to stabilize the proceedings with a 49-run partnership, but both walked into the pavilion within the space of five balls to leave Netherlands at 102-7 in the 33rd over.
Timm van der Gugten (49) and Logan van Beek (29) teamed up to amass what turned out to be match-winning late runs, and the Dutch were all out off the last ball of their innings for 195.
For Ireland, Josh Little (3-32) troubled the Dutch batters through his pace and bounce, and Craig Young (3-34) bowled at nagging line and length that helped keep things tight. The spinners played their part as well with Simi Singh and Andy McBrine bowling 19 overs between them, giving just 59 runs and taking a wicket each.
Ireland were off to a disappointing start, losing three wickets in the first three overs as the tall seamer van Beek claimed two crucial wickets in the form of William Porterfield (5) and Balbirnie (4).
Paul Stirling and George Dockrell sought to anchor the chase and shared a steady 32-run partnership, but Dockrell was beaten by pace and low bounce to get bowled for 11. Lorcan Tucker (8) who looked positive at the start was trapped LBW by Dutch skipper Seelaar.
At 69-5, Ireland’s chase looked adrift, with all eyes fixed on Stirling – and on someone to provide him with support on the other end. Simi Singh looked to be that person and the duo added 76 for the sixth wicket to bring Ireland back in the game. Then, when both batsmen looked in control, Stirling was dismissed for 69 to a low catch by Seelaar at cover.
Singh and Andy McBrine then built a 43-run partnership that seemed likely to take Ireland home, but Seelaar then brought himself back in the attack and the left-arm spinner claimed two important wickets in the 47th over to swing the match back to the host's side.
The Dutch side held onto their nerves and when Ireland needed 12 off the last over for victory, Logan van Beek displayed disciplined death bowling and the visitors fell short by a run.
Timm van Gugten was adjudged Player of the Match for his 49 and 1-25 from 9 overs.
MATCH SUMMARY
Netherlands Men v Ireland Men, 1st ODI, Utrecht, 2 June 2021
Netherlands 195 (50 overs; T van der Gugten 49; J Little 3-32, C Young 3-34)
Ireland 194-9 (50 overs; P Stirling 69, S Singh 45; P Seelaar 3-27)
Netherlands won by 1 run
