Cricket:Ireland defeated The Netherlands in a thrilling warm-up match ahead of the World Twenty20 World Cup after the match was decided in a one-over eliminator as the two sides finished their innings level at Lord's this afternoon.
Things did not look good for Ireland when, with only seven required for victory, Bas Zuiderent clipped two off the first ball from Trent Johnston.
But Zuiderent failed to score off the next delivery and was stumped off the third when the ball dribbled back off the batsman’s body.
Victory was completed moments later when Johnston seized on the ball in his follow-through and ran out Ryan ten Doeschate with a direct hit at the non-striker’s end.
Under eliminator rules, a team’s innings is ended by the loss of two wickets.
Ireland had managed just six runs in as many balls from 20-over specialist Dirk Nannes, the Australian paceman who qualifies via a Dutch passport.
Surrey’s Gary Wilson perished in attempting a big hit during those six deliveries and half of Ireland’s runs came in extras.
The contest went into overtime after Ireland tail-ender Regan West could only manage a single from spinner Pieter Seelar’s final delivery.
Ireland required nine off the final over and two off as many deliveries but left-armer Seelar kept his cool to ensure a six-balls-per-side decider.
Ireland, who restricted their fellow associate country to just 135 for nine after being asked to field first, were well placed at 71 for two in the 11th over, but the run out of Paul Stirling altered the course of the contest.
Just as in the Dutch innings, regular wickets interrupted the momentum of the batting team and spin proved crucial as Seelar matched Kyle McCallan’s three-wicket haul.
Essex’s Ryan ten Doeschate top-scored for Holland with 29 but was dismissed in the 18th over when, in attempting to create some late-innings impetus, he charged down the track at McCallan and yorked himself.
His departure followed that of Peter Borren, whose hitting ability was emphasised in McCallan’s previous over when he planted a six over midwicket and followed up with another straight down the ground next ball.
The Netherlands were well placed on 43 for two after five overs but lost momentum when the hulking Darron Reekers’ attempt to cut off the stumps off left-arm spinner Regan West resulted in his departure.
Alexei Kervezee and Bas Zuiderent, two of the Dutch players with county experience, succumbed in attacking mode against the short ball.