Netherlands stuns South Africa by 38 runs

DHARAMSALA, India (Reuters) – The Netherlands caused a stunning upset by beating South Africa by 38 runs in a rain-shortened match to inflict a first defeat on the Proteas in the ongoing 50-overs World Cup in Dharamsala on Tuesday.

Beaten in their previous two matches, the plucky Dutch side overcame a top-order collapse to post a competitive 245-8. The match was reduced to a 43-over-per-side contest after play was delayed by almost two hours. Meanwhile, both sides made one change each as Gerald Coetzee replaces Tabraiz Shamsi in Proteas playing XI. Logan van Beek, who missed the previous encounter due to a hamstring, returned to Netherlands’ playing XI in place of Ryan Klein.

South Africa suffered a collapse of their own when it began the chase and Temba Bavuma’s side was eventually bundled out for 207 en route to its first defeat in the tournament.

David Miller made a brisk 43 and his dismissal in the 31st over effectively snuffed out South Africa’s hopes of avoiding an upset.

The Netherlands were reduced to 140/7 in the 34th over, but captain Scott Edwards led one of the most extraordinary fightbacks thus far in this tournament. He put up a partnership of 64 runs off just 37 balls with former SA star Roelof van der Merwe after which No.10 Aryan Dutt came in and bludgeoned three sixes.

South Africa’s fielding also became ragged once the carnage began and that led to the Netherlands scoring 245/8. Edwards was unbeaten on 78 off 69.

South Africa seemed like it had gotten off to a good start to the chase with captain Temba Bavuma and Quinton de Kock putting up a steady opening stand. However, it collapsed from 36/0 to 44/4 between the eighth and 12th overs.