Netherlands move to second, in sight of place in 2027 Cricket World Cup

Netherlands strengthened their chances of qualifying for the 2027 Cricket World Cup after they ended their latest tri-series round of ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2 2024/27 without losing a single match.

The Dutch team beat host Namibia in both the matches even though both their matches against Canada were abandoned without a ball bowled.

They are currently placed second with 20 points from 16 matches, the same as Canada but ahead due to better net run rate. The Dutch have an NRR of 0.290 as against the 0.236 NRR of the Canadians.

The United States of America are on top with 22 points, registering 11 wins in 16 matches.

Both Netherlands and Canada have scored nine wins each. Oman are fourth with 18 points in 16 matches, including eight wins.

The top four advance to the 10-team 2027 Cricket World Cup Qualifier, from where the top four teams will qualify for the 2027 Cricket World Cup.

In the tri-series that ended on March 15, Netherlands defeated Namibia by 53 runs and seven wickets in Windhoek. In a surprising turn of events, both the matches between Netherlands and Canada were washed out.

The first match between Namibia and Canada was tied before Canada won it in Super Over. The second match between the two teams saw Namibia winning by 12 runs.

Teja Nidamanuru played the rescue act in the first Netherlands-Namibia match. With his team struggling at 99/6 after being 84 without loss at one stage, he held on to make 47 off 54 balls. Openers Vikramjit Singh made 37 while Max O’Dowd scored 43.

Bernard Scholtz was the best of the Namibian bowlers, taking 4/15 in eight overs.

In response, Namibia were bowled out for 106 in 30 overs. Captain Gerhard Erasmus top-scored with 31 runs. Off-spinners Zach Lion-Cachet (3/15) and Aryan Dutt (3/28) were the pick of the bowlers.

Bas de Leede completed 50 ODIs

In the second Netherlands-Namibia match, the Dutch chased a 148 runs which was built largely on Erasmus’s 63 off 102 balls (3x4s, 3x6s).

Medium pacers Kyle Klein (3/14), Paul van Meekeren (3/33) and off-spinner Aryan Dutt (3/28) took three wickets each.

In response, the Dutch team chased down the target in 37 overs. They were reduced to 40/3 at the start of the 11th over but then Colin Ackermann (54 not out off 8 balls) and skipper Scott Edwards (49 not out off 86 balls) added 109 runs to take the team to victory.

Namibia’s three successive losses in the tri-series have put paid to their hopes of qualifying for the World Cup as they are on 14 points, having played 20 matches with seven wins and 13 losses.

The series also saw Bas de Leede complete 50 One-Day Internationals.

Cricket World Cup, Netherlands, USA, Canada, Namibia, Oman, Windhoek