SA vs NED, ODI World Cup: No more under radar, South Africa looks too strong for Netherlands

In the Men’s T20 World Cup last year in Australia, Netherlands stunned South Africa by 13 runs and sent the fancied side tumbling out of the competition.

 Netherland Captain Scott Edwards during the net practice session at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Stadium ahead of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 match against South Africa in Dharamshala on Monday, October 16, 2023. | Photo Credit:  R V Moorthy / The Hindu

Though the Men’s Cricket World Cup started over 10 days ago, it was not until last weekend that it truly came alive.

On Saturday, India and Pakistan sparred in front of a sell-out crowd, with the match even featuring a glitzy pre-game show, usually the preserve of tournament openers. Then, on Sunday, Afghanistan dished out the first upset of the edition, soundly beating defending champion England.

On Tuesday, the Netherlands will look to join the party and rev up the festivities when it takes on the mighty South Africa at the HPCA Stadium here in Dharamshala.

Having lost their opening two fixtures, the Dutchmen are desperate to prove that they are not here to just make up the numbers. However, it is unlikely that the Proteas will allow them the bragging rights for a second time in two ICC events.

In the Men’s T20 World Cup last year in Australia, Netherlands stunned South Africa by 13 runs and sent the fancied side tumbling out of the competition. But Temba Bavuma’s men appear transformed this time around and have shown their pedigree by recording thumping wins over Sri Lanka and Australia.

South Africa’s Quinton de Kock plays a shot during the 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup one-day international (ODI) match between Australia and South Africa at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on October 12, 2023. | Photo Credit: TAUSEEF MUSTAFA/ AFP

The batting unit, led by the irresistible Quinton de Kock (two centuries in two innings) and Aiden Markram (century and a fifty), has been explosive so far, ably backed up by the bowling line-up comprising Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi.

Netherlands played well in patches in the defeats to Pakistan and New Zealand, but the challenge against elite opposition in a relatively long-drawn format -- compared to Twenty20s -- is to sustain the intensity.

It will help if seam-bowling all-rounder Logan van Beek returns from injury, though it would take a brave person to bet against the marauding South Africans.

The one source of worry for Bavuma will be the wet weather in Dharamshala. The Rainbow Nation has a troubled history with rain, especially in World Cup cricket. But this time, its on-field excellence should have the final say.

Squads:

Netherlands: Scott Edwards (c/wk), Colin Ackermann, Wesley Barresi, Bas de Leede, Aryan Dutt, Sybrand Engelbrecht, Ryan Klein, Teja Nidamanuru, Max O’Dowd, Saqib Zulfiqar, Shariz Ahmad, Logan van Beek, Roelof van der Merwe, Paul van Meekeren, Vikramjit Singh.

South Africa: Temba Bavuma (c), Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock (wk), Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Andile Phehlukwayo, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Rassie van der Dussen, Lizaad Williams.

Match starts: 2:00pm (IST).