Share

Zimbabwe ease to win over Netherlands

Amsterdam - Zimbabwe recorded a comfortable six-wicket win over the Netherlands in a one-day match played on Wednesday at the Volharding RAP Amstels Cricket Ground in Amsterdam.

Tendai Chatara tore through the Dutch batting line-up to claim his third List A five-wicket haul as the home side folded for 142 within 38 overs. 

Had it not been for Logan van Beek's unbeaten half-century, that total would have been unimaginable as Chatara and his fellow pace bowler Chris Mpofu, who finished with three wickets, ran amok. 

Reeling at 40 for eight in the 14th over, the Netherlands were a relieved lot after van Beek and Timm van der Gugten put up an 86-run stand for the ninth wicket that gave their bowlers something to defend. 

Van der Gutten scored four boundaries before he was dismissed for 34 - a gutsy knock that came off 58 deliveries - to leave his side on 126 for nine in the 35th over. 

Three overs later, the Dutch folded for 142, with van Beek remaining unbeaten on 64, having faced 83 balls. His courageous effort included one six and six fours. 

Destroyer-in-chief Chatara conceded 34 runs off 10 overs for his five wickets. 

Craig Ervine top-scored with 44 as Zimbabwe chased down the target with 118 deliveries to spare.

Only 22 runs had been put on the board in the sixth over when opening batsman Solomon Mire was dismissed for eight by Shane Slater, a former Zimbabwe Under-17 player who is now turning out for the Netherlands. 

Hamilton Masakadza was the next to go having scored 26, leaving Zimbabwe on 42 for two in the 10th over as the home side tried to mount an unlikely fightback. 

After Sean Williams was caught out for 16, the tourists were left needing 69 more runs from 33 overs. 

Ervine looked set to take Zimbabwe over the line but was unfortunate, in the 27th over, to fall just six runs short of a half-century - his 44, with five boundaries, came off 59 balls. 

It was then left to Raza to seal the victory, with his unbeaten 31, which included two sixes and one four, coming off 36 deliveries. 

The two sides will meet again on Thursday for the second one-day match, also at the VRA Cricket Ground, while the third will be played on Saturday at the Voorburg Cricket Club in The Hague.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
26% - 1273 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1470 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2244 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE