Srinagar: The Dutch side , Netherlands Cricket Team caused huge upset of World Cup 2023, by defeating unbeaten South Africa by 38 runs in Dharamsala on Tuesday.
Inspirational skipper Scott Edwards led from the front with an unbeaten 78* as the Netherlands posted a decent total of 245/8 in a match reduced to 43 overs per side because of early rain and a determined bowling outfit saw the previously unbeaten Proteas fall well short in reply.
Edwards combined well with veteran all-rounder Roelof van der Merwe (29) and No.10 Aryan Dutt (23 off nine balls) to propel the Dutch late in their innings and South Africa’s reply never gathered much momentum as their high-profile top-order was ripped apart by some quality bowling.
Colin Ackermann (1/16) got the ball rolling with the key wicket of Quinton de Kock (20) and the likes of Logan van Beek (3/60), Paul van Meekeren (2/40), Bas de Leede (2/36) and van der Merwe (2/34) all chimed in at various times as South Africa were defeated by a non-Test playing nation for the first time in an ODI.
It continues the Netherlands recent domination of South Africa, after they also tasted success against the Proteas in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in Australia last year.
The loss robs South Africa of the chance to leapfrog unbeaten sides India and New Zealand at the top of the World Cup standings, with Temba Bavuma’s side remaining in third following their first defeat at the tournament.
The Netherlands register their first win of the World Cup and overtake Sri Lanka to move up to ninth.