The Netherlands completed a second victory over Ireland in as many days to take a strong position in the T20I tri-series.
Pieter Seelaar’s side chased down Ireland’s 158 with an over to spare to run out winners by four wickets in Rotterdam.
Although Ireland chipped away with regular wickets, with left-arm spinner George Dockrell taking 2/30, they were unable to contain the run-rate, with opener Max O’Dowd (39 from 24) and veteran No.5 Roelof van der Merwe (37 from 26) making decisive contributions for the home side. Skipper Seelaar saw his team home with an unbeaten 22.
Van der Merwe’s 2/24 from four overs had helped restrict Ireland to a competitive though not dominant total after opening bowler Shane Snater went for 34 from just three overs. Ireland’s Paul Stirling (27 from 16) set a strong platform alongside James Shannon (31 from 21), putting on 58 from 5.1 overs for the first wicket, while skipper Gary Wilson top scored with an unbeaten 45 off 42 balls, but he was unable to force the scoring along far enough to put the game beyond the home side’s reach.
Ireland now move on to two matches against Scotland, at Deventer on Saturday and Sunday, before Scotland play their two games against the Netherlands in Amsterdam next week.
