*WEST INDIES VS NETHERLANDS MATCH 17 PREVIEW- ICC CRICKET WORLDCUP QUALIFIERS 2023*
*THE BUILD UP:*
2/2 wins to follow it up with a reality check. Windies haven’t found it easy and have only themselves to blame. A loss at the hands of Zimbabwe doesn’t ensure their elimination from the tournament but sure is a fascinating aspect of this tournament- something that even the experts did not see coming given how nicely the Windies were shaping under Sammy and Hope. The boys from the Caribbean would look to get back to winning ways and bounce back in some style against the men in orange as they look to take them on tomorrow at Harare.
West Indies should take pride in the fact that their bowling has clicked this tournament. They have been able to keep the oppositions in tight check and have kept control on the scoring rate. Barring a few mistakes they made on the field vs ZIM, they have been more or less efficient. They have picked up 27 wickets in three games so far and have been consistent enough to bundle out the oppositions twice, that too, in a row. The likes of Holder and Hossain coupled with a few others will be keenly looked at vs Netherlands.
Netherlands on the other hand, have plenty to cherish with two wins in their last two encounters. They have brushed aside both USA and Nepal and have some winning momentum backing them at full tilt. By now, the loss vs ZIM seems so far away and if they have to progress with a positive mindset in this tourney, they will have to come all guns firing vs WI- who are wounded and have been bited by ZIM. The interesting piece of stat is that both these teams have tasted defeat at the hands of Zimbabwe, who have been a side to remember. Holland, similar to Windies, have clicked all the boxes when the ball has been in their hand. It goes without saying that tomorrow will be a battle about which of these sides bat better, an aspect where a comeback is due from both. They skittled Nepal for a mere 167 and before that, kept USA to just a 211 for 8. Bas De leede Will be once again, a highly watchable cricketer after all that he does on the field with the ball in hand, and performs his job to perfection.
*WI PROBABLE XI:*
Brandon King, Kyle Mayers, Shai Hope(wk)(c), Johnson Charles, Nicholas Pooran, Roston Chase, Rovman Powell, Jason Holder, Akeal Hossain, Keemo Paul, Alzarri Joseph
Mayers, after a string of low scores finally got off the blocks with a 72 ball 56. He struggled for most part of it but it was good to see him back amongst the runs, contributing to the team’s efforts. On a gloomy day where WI lost to the high flying Zimbabwe, Mayers was the bright light in their batting department. Another strong performance would be expected from the star all rounder. On the bowling front, he was all class again- chipping in with important overs and also getting the big wicket of Raza who was sensational with his allround brilliance.
The troika of Holder-Keemo Paul-Joseph could rattle Netherlands bigtime. They have good wicket taking form backing them and have enough experience to get the job done. The Harare track has more or less being flat but these three players alongside the left arm spin of Hossain-the economical King could stop the havoc that Netherlands could create. This is the same venue where Ned smoked ZIM for a massive 315 run score.
Shai Hope was sent back to the pavilion for a duck which was quite a rare sight specially in ODI cricket with the Windies skipper enjoying his time out here in Zimbabwe. I would like to believe that it was only a one day affair and isn’t something which we would get used to seeing. A comeback innings could be around the corner.
*NED PROBABLE XI:*
Max ODowd, Vikramjit Singh, Wesley Barresi, Bas De Leede, Scott Edwards(c)(wk), Teja Nijamanuru, Logan Van Beek, Clayton Floyd, Shariz Ahmed, Aryan Dutt, Ryan Klein
I was right about Vikramjit Singh the part timer who has taken the storm by both his batting and bowling. Last game, he bowled a mere 4 overs but was succesful in sending back two Nepali batters. On top of that, he chipped in with a 30 as well at the top of the order. He averages 42 in this tournament with the bat and 18 with the bowl, which are awesome statistics for someone who isn’t even a genuine allrounder. Edwards has been using him rightly after seeing what magic he can produce and if this trend continues, with time, he can become the MVP of Netherlands and someone who could stop WI from going about doing their usual business.
Logan Van Beek has 5 wickets to his name so far and has given runs at just 4.5 runs an over. These are inspiring stats, one which has done NED a world of good. The Men in Maroon are coming off a humiliating loss and Van Beek is going to take the field having demolished Nepal the other day with a four fer. With momentum backing the 32 year old, this could turn out to be a fascinating game of chess. Only time would decide who breaks first.
*MY PREDICTIONS FOR THIS GAME:*
*FOR WI:*
Highest run getter- Brandon King/Nicholas Pooran
Highest wicket taker- Alzarri Joseph/Akeal Hossain
*FOR NED:*
Highest run getter- Vikramjit Singh/Max ODowd
Highest wicket taker- Logan Van Beek/Aryan Dutt
*FOR THE GAME:*
WI to win however I expect this to be a closely fought contest