Netherlands Vs Scotland & Ireland 2021 Review.

The ODI Super League is well and truly on its way with the Netherlands registering a 2-1 victory against Ireland. Each of the 13 teams has now at least played one ODI series (3 matches) on their way to 24 games.

In case you missed these two series, here is a brief recap and major takeaways.

Also Read: Bangladesh Tours of NZ & Sri Lanka Review, Ireland Vs Afghanistan Series Review

Scotland tour of Netherlands ODI Series: 1-1 Drawn

1. Netherlands won by 14 runs
2. Scotland won by 6 wickets

Scotland-Netherlands Statistics

	Scotland	Netherlands
Most Runs	George Munsey – 106 runs (best of 79*, 106.00 average, 79.69 SR)	Max O’Dowd – 90 runs (best of 82, 45.00 average, 77.58 SR)
Most Wickets	Alasdair Evans – 6 wickets (best of 5/43, 11.16 average, 4.27 Economy)	Vivian Kingma – 5 wickets (best of 3/21, 8.80 average, 2.93 economy)

Netherlands tour of Ireland ODI Series: Netherlands Win 2-1

1. Netherlands won by 1 run*Timm van der Gugten
   • Video Highlights
2. Ireland won by 8 wickets*Josh Little
   • Video Highlights
3. Netherlands won by 4 wickets*Stephan Myburgh
   • Video Highlights

Netherlands-Ireland Statistics

Player of the Series	Netherlands Logan van Beek	Ireland
Most Runs	Stephen Myburgh – 105 runs (best of 74, 50s-1, 35.00 average, 60.69 SR)	Paul Stirling – 126 runs (best of 69, 50s-2, 42.00 average, 69.23 SR)
Most Wickets	Logan van Beek – 6 wickets (best of 4/18, 12.42 average, 2.96 Economy)	Josh Little – 8 wickets (best of 4/39, 13.25 average, 3.53 Economy)

Major Takeaways

Here are some of the highlights of the Netherlands Vs Scotland & Ireland 2021 series.

Scotland

• Alasdair Evans was the hero of the second ODI. His figures of 9.4-2-43-5 limited Netherlands to 171.
• George Munsey did the rest with an unbeaten 79 (119). After a brief collapse, the 106* run partnership with Dylan Budge took Scotland across the line.
• The experienced duo of captain Kyle Coetzer & Calum MacLeod had a sub-par series. Coetzer mustering a total of 26 runs & MacLeod with just 14.

Netherlands

• Max O’Dowd successfully established himself at the top of the Dutch batting order with a match-winning 82 (102) in the first ODI vs Scotland. A couple of decent 20-30s in the low scoring Ireland series as well. Averages 55.00 in his young 7-ODI career so far.
• Tim van der Gugten was the difference between the two sides in the Ireland series. In the first ODI, his 49 (60) with 4 sixes in the first ODI took Netherlands from 102-7 to a competitive total of 195. Netherlands won by 1 run.
• In the 3rd ODI against Ireland, experienced campaigner Stephen Myburgh took Netherlands home with a 74 (111) to get them across the line in an uneasy chase of 166. At 37, he may not have a long career ahead, but he is contributing to the Dutch cause one game at a time.

Ireland

• Paul Stirling is the best ODI batsman since the pandemic. He has definitely slowed down from his aggressive instinct, but his consistency has hit great strides. 2 fifties this series to go along with his 3 centuries post-COVID. Playing a lone hand at the top.
• George Dockrell & William Porterfield make their ODI comebacks. Dockrell, the left arm spinner, has resurrected his career as a #5 all-rounder. He scored a 40 in the 3rd ODI but could not carry on. Former captain Porterfield had a rough outing with scores of 0 & 5. End of a glorious career or does he have one more World Cup campaign in him? Another Irish legend Kevin O’Brien replaced Porterfield at the top of the order for the 3rd ODI.
• The bowling was one of the few shining lights for Ireland. Josh Little returned with figures of 3/36, 4/39, & 1/35 & Craig Young with 3/34 & 9.2-2-18-4 in the 2nd ODI. Good support by Barry McCarthy, Simi Singh, & Andy McBrine as well.
• Boyd Rankin, famous for representing both Ireland & England in Test cricket, hung up his boots at the age of 36. Debuting back in 2007, he was one of their first actual pace bowlers. 2007 & 2011 World Cups, 2013-14 Ashes, and finally the Ireland Test debut in 2018, he witnessed it all. Have a great second innings!

ODI Super League Status

Ireland are reeling at #10, with only 2 wins from 9 matches, having lost 1-2 vs England & 0-3 vs Afghanistan already. They would have wanted 30 points (3-0) from the Netherlands series, but lost 2 games.

Netherlands are at #9 with 20 points (2/3 wins). Although there is still a long time to go, with Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, Ireland struggling (and South Africa currently at #12), Netherlands have a shot at direct qualification.

In any case, Ireland & Netherlands are finally getting their share of cricket they need to go to the next level. Unfortunately, Scotland barely missed out on ODI status and are not guaranteed many ODIs.

Where Do They Go From Here?

Ireland

Ireland have already completed 3 ODI Super League series, the most among any team. They are due for two more series later in the year:

• South Africa are scheduled to tour Ireland for 3 ODIs & 3 T20Is (July 2021)
• Then, Zimbabwe tour Ireland for 3 ODIs & 5 T20Is (August 2021)

An ODI series against West Indies is penned for January 2022. Finally, they also have to reschedule the COVID-postponed series against Bangladesh and New Zealand.

Netherlands

Although Netherlands do not have any immediate matches scheduled, the ODI Super League guarantees them 3-match ODI series against South Africa (September), Afghanistan (December), New Zealand (January 2022), England (May 2022).

Series cancelled due to COVID-19 will be scheduled later against Pakistan, West Indies, Zimbabwe.

Netherlands, Ireland, & Scotland have all qualified for the 2021 T20 World Cup, so we will see a glimpse of them later in the year.

What did y’all think about the Netherlands Vs Scotland & Ireland 2021 series? Let us know below!

06/09/2021 – Copyright @Nit-X, aka Nitesh Mathur bcd@brokencricketdreams.com