WCLC: Five Dutch players who could put brakes on Nepal’s winning streak

Onlinekhabar Thursday, August 11, 2016

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Nepal’s national cricket team take on the Netherlands this Saturday, and then on Monday in 50-over List A matches. This is not the first time that the Nepali squad are playing against the Dutch in the Netherlands. Nepal’s team toured the Netherlands in July last year to play a four-match T20 series. At 3-1, the Dutch got the better of Nepal.

Here we look at five key players who could put the brakes on Nepal’s winning streak this season.

1.

Michael Rippon

This South Africa-born left-arm chinaman also plays in English county cricket. He made his debut for the Netherlands in 2013. Although Rippon started off as a middle order batsmen for the men in orange, he now opens the batting for the Dutch squad. During the ICC World Cricket League Division Two encounter with Nepal, Rippon made a valiant 53 to keep his squad in contention in the match.

But his effort was not enough for the Dutch to win the match. During the second of the four-match T20 series against Nepal, he took three wickets at an economy rate of 2.75 runs per over. (That too at Amstelveen, the same ground where Nepal are to take on the Dutch team this Saturday!)

2.

Stephan Myburg

Stephan Myburgh opens the batting for the Netherlands. On March 21, 2014, in a match against Ireland, Myburgh equaled the record of the second fastest fifty in Twenty20 International with Paul Stirling of Ireland. He scored the fifty with 17 balls. This was the match in which the Dutch required a win within 14 overs to qualify for the Super 10 stage. Myburgh’s Netherlands did it in 13.5 overs with 6 wickets remaining.

Myburgh made 36 runs against Nepal during the WCL Division II fixture in Namibia. In the first of the T20 series against Nepal at home, he remained unbeaten at 67. Similarly, in the third T20 he made 71, again unbeaten!

3.

Van Der Merwe

This right-hand batsman, left-hand orthodox bowler made his Twenty20 international debut for South Africa with a quickfire 48 and 1 for 30. He was duly named the ‘Man of the Match’. He played in the 2004 Under-19 World Cup for South Africa. He was picked for South Africa’s two Twenty20 matches against Australia in March 2009. He has also played for IPL’s Bangalore franchise, the Royal Challengers.

During the 4th T20 against Nepal, he was unbeaten on 40, and claimed 2 wickets, although he went for 27 runs in his four overs.

4.

Mudassar Bukhari

On fast wickets of the Netherlands, pacers have always ruled the roost. One of those quickies who can turn the game on its head is Bukhari. He made his debut for the Netherlands in a first class fixture against Canada. He batted at eight and made an unbeaten 66!

During the WCL Division II clash against Nepal, he took two wickets for just 26 runs. During the fourth T20 against Nepal, it was Bukhari who claimed the wicket of Nepal skipper Paras Khadka, who had just completed his half century.

5.

Ashan Mallik

This right arm pacer has always been amongst the top wicket takers against Nepal. During the World Cup qualifier against Nepal, he claimed three wickets, and took two wickets during the World Cricket League II match.

Mallik claimed 11 wickets in just four matches in the T20 series against Nepal last year. His scalps include Sharad and Gyanendra.

In addition to these players, the Dutch captain Peter Borren, who is likely to miss the first match due to injury and pacer Paul Van Meekeren are other performers to watch. Of course, the Dutch selectors may have some surprise players up their sleeves!

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