Netherlands v Scotland

The Minnows Locks Horns
This group A match was very evenly poised before it started. Both the teams Netherlands and Scotland are associated members of ICC and are considered as the minnows in this world cup. Thus a very keen contest was expected between both the sides. However the result of the match would not affect the chances of these teams in the world cup because both of them are out of contention by loosing other matches in the group.

Coin rolled in the favor of Netherlands
J Smith won the toss for Netherlands and elected to field first. The decision was taken in the wake of the pitch condition, which was apt to support seam bowling. The pitches held moisture, which would have helped the bowler initially and would make life difficult for the openers.

The openers chocked
The Scottish openers could not sustain on a pitch, which supported seam bowling. First to go was NS Poonia when the scoreboard read zero for Scotland. With another 9 runs added to the scoreboard the other opener RM Haq marched towards the pavilion with a score of 6 runs from 15 balls. The other batsmen followed suit and could not make much amendments to the poor scoring rate. Scotland was stranded at 15 for 4 wickets in 6.3 overs. RR Watson reached the two figures by scoring 16 runs from 37 balls. The Scottish batsmen could not build the innings and they fell like a pack of cards. The other batsmen to put some resistance in this innings were McCullum with 24 runs from 43 balls, CJO Smith with 19 runs from 23 balls, JAR Blain with 18 runs from 28 balls and GA Rogers with 26 runs from 30 balls. It was the tail enders who made it possible to surpass the 100 run mark. At one stage, Scotland was 83 for 8 wickets and it sceemed that they will be all put with the score in two figures only

Stunning bowling performance by Netherlands
Dutch bowlers took up the challenge to justify the decision of their captain to take up fielding first. The spearhead of the pace attack was WF Stelling picking up 3 wickets for 12 runs in 8 overs. Jonkman and Mohammad Kashif both picked up 2 wickets each to contribute to the cause. The other successful bowlers in the Netherlands side were DJ Reekers, TBM de Leede, and DLS van Bunge captured one wicket each . They packed off the Scotland innings for 136 runs in 34.1 overs.

Dominating Dutch batting
The Dutch batsmen approached the low total with aggression and did not make a heavy weather of it. The openers made a very cautious start and played down some of the fuller length deliveries. Scotland picked up the first wicket on 18 runs by dismissing Reekers on 9 runs. The ball struck the outside edge and Wright took an easy catch at mid-off on the bowling of John Blain. The next to get out was ES Szwarczynski on 12 runs from 11 balls when the scoreboard read 37 for Netherlands. The next to come was a 103 runs partnership between Zuiderent and RN ten Doeschate that saw Scotland through and took them to victory. Doeschate scored 70 runs from 68 balls by commanding the ball all over the park for 13 fours and one six. Zuiderent aptly supported him by scoring a patient 43 runs from 56 balls.

Hapless Scottish bowling
The bowlers from Scotland were bereft of any line and length. They lacked complete discipline in their bowling attack and the only successful bowler in their side was JAR Blain with 2 wickets for 29 runs in 5 overs.

Emphatic win for Netherlands
Netherlands proved their dominance among the associated teams in the world cup by winning this match. They managed to earn this honor by 8-wicket win over Scotland in this match. Despite all anticipation from the spectators it turned out to be one-sided affair.

Man Of The Match
WF Stelling won the man of the match title by picking up 3 wickets for 12 runs in 8 overs. His initial breakthrough of the Scotland innings earned him the laurel.