Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Matt Verri

South Africa stunned as Netherlands pull off stunning Cricket World Cup upset

South Africa were left stunned as the Netherlands pulled up a monumental 38-run victory in Dharamshala.

The Netherlands' shock win in Adelaide last year dumped South Africa out of the T20 World Cup, but this win, their first in ODI-cricket against a major Test nation, was an even more remarkable feat.

South Africa squandered a number of situations in the match where they appeared to be on top, ending their unbeaten start to the tournament and giving a major boost to England, who have lost two of their opening three games and face the Proteas on Saturday.

For the Netherlands, this must rank as the finest win in their history as, while they beat the West Indies to qualify for the tournament, this was only their third ever win at the World Cup. The previous two came against Namibia in 2003 and Scotland four years later, while the Netherlands failed to qualify for the last two tournaments.

This South Africa side had made an ominous start to the tournament in hammering Sri Lanka and Australia, and had the Dutch on the ropes too. They were 50 for four then 112 for six, after being asked to bat first by South Africa in a contest reduced to 43 overs apiece because of rain, but captain Scott Edwards rescued them from number seven.

His unbeaten 78 from 69 balls was supplemented by crucial cameos from Roelof van der Merwe (29 from 19) and Aryan Dutt (23 not out off nine) as the Netherlands posted a healthy 245 for eight.

Bavuma and Quinton de Kock, who made centuries in the wins over Sri Lanka and Australia, started well but the pair, plus Aiden Markram and Rassie van der Dussen, departed within the space of 21 deliveries.

A position of 36 without loss became 44 for four before Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller put on a run-a-ball 45 to steady the ship. However, Klaasen's dismissal left South Africa's hopes all on Miller.

Being dropped on 23 in the deep seemed a significant moment but an off-pace jaffa from Logan van Beek clipped the top of Miller's off-stump as he departed for 43.

Bas de Leede, who shelled a catch to reprieve Miller, atoned by dismissing Gerald Coetzee and Kagiso Rabada, and Van Beek snared Keshav Maharaj in the last over as South Africa were all out for 207, leaving the Dutch celebrating a first ODI World Cup win since 2007.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.