#CWC23: Unfancied Netherlands Pull-Off A Miracle , Shock South Africa By 38 Runs ; Second Major Upset Of The Tournament

Picture : ICC / X

After Afghanistan stunned defending Champions England by 69 runs, CWC23 saw another upset as unfancied and energetic Netherlands shocked in- from South Africa by 38 runs in a rain-shortened encounter in Dharamsala.

Asked to bat first by Proteas , after the rain reduced the contest to 43 over a side, Netherlands found themselves reeling at 140/7 before their captain Scott Edwards staged a remarkable recovery with an unbeaten 78 off 69 balls to take his side to a fighting 245/8. Edwards (78 off 69) shared an entertaining 64-run partnership off 37 balls with Roelof van der Merwe (29 off 19) towards the end of the innings to take the team past 200.

Edwards hit 10 boundaries in total and a six via a cracking pull shot off Rabada. Edwards also employed the sweep and reverse sweep against the long spinner Keshav Maharaj to good effect.

Number 10 Dutt also joined the party smashed three sixes to provide the final flourish.

South Africa’s bowlers were also guilty of conceding 31 extras as the Dutch came up with a fighting total.

With the pitch helping spin , the Dutch choked South African to be all out for 207 in 42.5 overs, handing the Dutch their first World Cup win against a Test playing nation.

For the Proteas, David Miller top- scored with 43, Quinton de Kock ( 20), Heinrich Klaasen ( 28), Rassie van der Dussen ( 4) , Aiden Markram ( 1) in a shocking batting failure.

Spinners Colin Ackermann (1/16) and Roelof van der Merwe (2/34), who made his international debut for South Africa before shifting allegiance to the Netherlands, also played a major role in the team’s success.

Ackermann got rid of the in-form Quinton de Kock before van der Merwe found Bavuma’s stumps with a brilliant arm ball as South Africa felt the heat inside the Powerplay.

Match: World Cup 2023, 15th Match
Venue: Dharamsala | Date: October 17, 2023