Netherlands defeats Namibia by seven wickets; Dutt claims six wickets

KATHMANDU: The Netherlands bounced back from the Nepal drubbing to register a seven-wicket victory over Namibia in its second match of the ICC World Cricket League 2 at the TU International Cricket Ground on Monday.

Invited to bat first after losing the toss, Namibia was all out for 123 runs in 35.1 overs. In reply, Michael Leddit scored a brilliant half-century as the Netherlands posted 124 runs, losing three wickets in 27.2 overs.

Namibia made a poor start with the bat as it was four down by the 11th over. Openers JP Kotze and Nikolaas Davin scored 5 and 13, respectively, while Michael van Lingen and captain Gerhard Erasmus contributed 4 and 13 runs, respectively. JJ Smit scored 26 off 46 balls for Namibia, while Rupen Trumpelamnn, Zane Green, and Bernard Scholtz scored 26, 19, and 20, respectively. Five Namibian batsmen failed to reach double digits, three of them were out for a duck.

Aryan Dutta ripped through the Namibian batting order, taking 6 wickets in his nine-over spell. He conceded 34 runs. Kyle Klein claimed two wickets, while Max O’Dowd and Roelof van der Merwe had a wicket each to their names.

Chasing 124, the Netherlands made an aggressive start in the chase, adding 78 runs for the first wicket. Michael Leditt scored 57 from 81 balls, while Max O’Dowd scored 28 and Sybrand Engelbrecht scored six runs. Bas de Leede and Scott Edwards remained unbeaten at 21 and four runs, respectively.

Gerhard Erasmus took all three wickets for Namibia.

Monday’s results mean Nepal, Namibia, and the Netherlands all have collected two points each from two games. Nepal is at the top of the table, while Namibia is second by a better run rate.

Nepal takes on Namibia in its third match of the tri-series on Wednesday.