*NETHERLANDS VS UNITED STATES OF AMERICA MATCH 10-PREVIEW: ICC WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS 2023*
*THE BUILD UP:*
Barring the Windies game for USA, both these sides have experienced what annihilation feels like. Zimbabwe smoked Netherlands the other day with Raza storm taking place at Harare. They could never really make a comeback in the second innings despite registering a mammoth total of 315 in the first. Such a morale deflating defeat often goes onto ask the question: “Are we really good enough?”. But Holland shouldn’t worry as much specially with USA being on the other hand. Their batting was supreme and was calculative. That aspect of their game holding control will give them the confidence heading into this fixture, searching for pride and for a much needed win.
USA, however will need to wrap up their knuckles now. They have lost two in a row and their last loss against Nepal with the Nepali boys chasing it with 7 overs to spare, in no way, gives them any kind of confidence. Their batting stocks have gone down and they have been at best, substandard. With these pitches producing decent ODI scores, the batters from UAE need to bring their A game to the table and starting from tomorrow, could probably be the best time to do so.
*NETHERLANDS PROBABLE XI:*
Vikramjit Singh, Max O’Dowd, Wesley Barresi, Bas de Leede, Teja Nidamanuru, Scott Edwards (c & wk), Saqib Zulfiqar, Shariz Ahmed, Logan van Beek, Aryan Dutt, Clayton Floyd.
Edwards and Vikram will have to adorn the role of the team’s reliable bets once again. They were classy even the other day when Netherlands went past the 300 run mark and will have to show what they have in store to beat USA, who hold the ability to surprise oppositions at times and an upset may well be due. With a belter of a surface expected, these two would require plenty of support from Netherlands’ middle order and the other opener in Max. They should target a total of 350 on this batting paradise so that a batting masterclass like this, rules out USA from the reckoning only.
Eagerly looking forward to how Netherlands improve their bowling performance. In their opening encounter, which ended in a big loss, the men in orange were met with a Raza carnage and all their hopes went down the drain. Claytan Floyd and the part timer Vikramjit were the only two bright prospects for Ned in their opener, a sight which no team would like to have. What made it worse was how badly the premier bowlers were treated. I expect a better showing from Shariz and Aryan come tomorrow.
*USA PROBABLE XI:*
Steven Taylor, Sushant Modani, Aaron Jones (c), Saiteja Mukkamalla, Gajanand Singh, Shayan Jahangir (wk), Nisarg Patel, Jasdeep Singh, Nosthush Kenjige, Kyle Phillip, Saurabh Netravalkar
We have seen two valiant and powerpacked knocks going in vain from two USA batters over the course of their two games in this beautiful tournament. The first one was from Gajanand Anand and the second one was from Shayan Jahangir, both batting in the middle order, fighting hard in the middle but faking way too short. It’s been a case of their batters not clicking the way USA fans would have expected. Even two or three impactful performances in the form of partnerships can set the tone and this is exactly what has been a lacking factor for USA. If they bat first, they should look to give space to an anchor, play sensibly for a majority of the innings only to go bonkers in the last 15. This pitch, expected to remain a beauty, will make sure that their plan succeeds.
The Duo of Noshtush and Jessy Singh were formidable with the bowl, bowling tight lines and hardly leaking anything. Both their economies under 5, reflect this piece of information. Excited to see what they have in store come tomorrow vs Netherlands.
*MY PREDICTIONS FOR THE GAME:*
*FOR NETHERLANDS:*
Highest run getter- Scott Edwards/Vikramjit Singh
Highest wicket taker- Aryan Dutt/Clayton Floyd
*FOR USA:*
Highest run getter- Gajanand Singh/Sushant Modani
Highest wicket taker- Kyle Philip/Saurabh Netravalkar
*FOR THE GAME:*
NED to open their account in the tournament with a win