In a sensational display of power-hitting, David Wiese smashed a 66 to seal Namibia’s six-wicket win over the Netherlands in a crucial first-round victory in Group A. t20 world cup here on Wednesday. Wiese’s maiden international half-century changed the pace of the game in a matter of minutes as runs flew thick and fast after taking charge at the crease, adding 93 for the fourth wicket with captain Gerhard Erasmus (32) in the process.
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Chasing 165 to survive the competition, debutant Namibia were at 52 for three after nine overs, but Wiese single-handedly sank the Dutch team. His attack on the spinners, especially the monstrous straight sixes, was a sight to behold as the Dutch bowlers were guilty of putting the ball in the slot for the vise.
And even though the pacers pulled the length back a bit, the 36-year-old Wiese had enough power to get the ball around for the big shots. He completed his half-century in just 29 balls by hitting a six off rival captain Peter Seelar. His unbeaten knock of 40 balls hit five sixes and four shots. Erasmus also timed the ball beautifully and hit four boundaries and a six in his 22-ball knock. The win has kept Namibia looking for a Super-12 stage and now needs to beat Ireland in their final game in the first round. They had to face defeat against Sri Lanka in their opening match.
The Netherlands have now lost both their matches and their chances of reaching the next stage are slim. Earlier, opener Max O’Dowd (70) scored his second successive half-century and shared an 82-run partnership with Colin Ackerman (35) to help Netherlands post a competitive total of 164 for four.
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O’Dowd, who scored 51 against Ireland in the previous match, expressed himself freely by going after the bowlers. Sometimes he played quick shots, was out of control at all, but still kept finding gaps to keep the scoreboard in check. His 57-ball innings had six fours and a six. Stroke on the wicket was not easy and his opening partner Stephen Myberg (17) was happy to play the ball according to his ability. Myburgh was dismissed when he tried a forceful slap from Frylinck but ended up giving a simple catch to Bard on point.
The Dutch side had high hopes from the experienced Roulof van der Merwe (6) but he also fell cheaply to pacer David Wiese. The next-man in Ackerman, however, timed the ball well and even used his feet effectively.
O’Dowd completed his half-century with an inside-out boundary off spinner Bernard Scholtz in the cover area. That shot also gave the team a hundred runs in the 14th over. Pacer JJ Smit was impressive with his accurate widedish delivery in the slog overs, not allowing the Dutch batsmen to score freely. Vice also held it tight.
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