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In a stunning turn of events, the Netherlands cricket team has once again emerged as the giant killer, defeating South Africa by 38 runs in a rain-curtailed match at the 2023 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup in Dharamsala. This remarkable victory marks the end of a 16-year wait for a World Cup win for the Dutch, and it is their first such triumph since 2007.
Netherlands, which earned a spot in the 2023 World Cup by finishing second in the Qualifiers, secured only their third World Cup win on this occasion. Their previous victories came in 2003 when they defeated Namibia and in 2007 when they overcame Scotland. This victory was also historic as it marked their first-ever win against a Test-playing nation, while for South Africa, it was their first loss to an associate country.
The match was marred by intermittent rain, which led to a delayed start and ultimately reduced it to a 43-over-a-side contest. South Africa's formidable pace attack, including Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen, and Lungi Ngidi, took advantage of the overcast conditions and the pitch's assistance. However, it was Netherlands' skipper, Scott Edwards, who turned the tide with a brilliant innings of 78 off 69. Edwards, along with former South African cricketer Roelof van der Merwe (29 off 19), orchestrated a masterful 64-run partnership in the final 10 overs, taking the Netherlands past the 200-run mark.
South Africa's pace bowlers made early inroads into the Dutch top-order, with Rabada and Jansen accounting for crucial wickets. As a result, Netherlands found themselves at 82/5 in the 21st over. However, Scott Edwards, who had struggled in the previous matches, found his form and executed impressive sweeps and reverse sweeps against Keshav Maharaj. He also smashed a mighty six off Rabada with a pull shot. Edwards struck 10 boundaries and was the linchpin of Netherlands' innings.
Netherlands eventually posted a total of 245/8, and South Africa's lethargic fielding and extras conceded by their seamers added to their woes.
Chasing the target, South Africa got off to a promising start but lost key wickets early. Quinton de Kock was dismissed by Colin Ackerman, and Van der Merwe took two crucial wickets in quick succession, removing Temba Bavuma and Rassie van der Dussen. Aiden Markram also fell, and it was left to David Miller to salvage the innings.
Miller attempted to rebuild South Africa's innings with partnerships alongside Heinrich Klaasen and Gerald Coetzee. However, Netherlands' fast bowlers kept striking at regular intervals. After Bas de Leede dismissed the ninth South African batsman, Keshav Maharaj fought valiantly with a 40-run innings. But it was not enough to secure a victory for South Africa, as Ben van Beek's brilliant performance with the ball led to a famous 38-run win for the Netherlands.
This upset victory adds another thrilling chapter to the 2023 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup, following Afghanistan's earlier shock win over defending champions England. Netherlands, with their inspiring win over South Africa, has rekindled their hopes for a successful campaign in the tournament.
South Africa batting totals - last six ODIs
338/6 vs Aus
416/5 vs Aus
315/9 vs Aus
428/5 vs SL
311/7 vs Aus
207/10 vs Net
Netherlands wins in ODI World Cups
Beat Namibia by 64 runs, Bloemfontein, 2003
Beat Scotland by eight wkts, Basseterre, 2007
Beat South Africa by 38 runs, Dharamsala, 2023
This is the first instance of Netherlands beating a Full Member nation other than Zimbabwe and Ireland in ODIs. (They tied against West Indies in WC Qualifiers and beat them in a Super Over)
This is the first instance of South Africa losing an ODI against an Associate nation
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| Scott Edwards | Player of the Match: |
Scott Edwards | Player of the Match:
Over the last couple of games too many of our middle order batters were being out before the end of the game, so I wanted to take it deep and hope a couple of guys around me chip in and we are lucky enough to get that score in the end. He's (Roelof van der Merwe) good fun to bat with, he runs hard and hits into some strange areas which is good fun to watch from the other end. I just got him (Aryan Dutt) on strike and he was clearing the ropes, he's got the talent and it's all there to see tonight. Proud of the group. We came into the tournament where we wanted to have a chance in the semi-finals and if you wanna do that you gotta beat teams and South Africa are one of the favourites the way they are playing, so it is a good win for us.
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