Scots U19s survive batting scare against the Dutch

Scotland remained unbeaten with a hard-fought win by 45 runs over the Netherlands at Lisburn on Day 3 of the ICC Europe U19 World Cup Qualifying tournament.

The match was dominated by the high quality of new-ball bowling. Within six overs of the start, Scotland were reduced to 23 for 5, Sebastian Braat bowling beautifully to pick up three wickets. Yet, when the Scots came to bowl, they were just as potent: the Dutch top order folded to 12 for 4, with Paddy Sadler taking 3 for 6 in the seven overs of his first spell.

Where the difference came, therefore, was the responses of the lower orders. On one hand, the last five Scottish wickets put on 121: Scott McElnea top-scored with 27 from 34 balls while Sam Page and Peter Legget also made invaluable contributions. Thus the Scottish total was lifted to 144, which was more than competitive under grey skies.

The Dutch, however, collapsed further, losing four wickets for one run, subsiding from 45 for 4 to 46 for 8. At one stage during the carnage Peter Legget (2 for 22) found himself on a hat-trick.

The Dutch were saved from abject humiliation thanks to ten Robert van der Harten (29 from 37 balls) and another mature knock from James Gruijters (35 from 67 balls). That ninth-wicket pair more than doubled the Dutch tally from 46 to 96, but when Freddie Coleman held a return catch offered by Gruijters, the end followed three runs later.


Score summary (Day 3):

At Wallace Park: Scotland 144 all out, 47.4 overs (Braat 3-22)
Netherlands 99 all out, 32.5 overs (Sadler 3-16)
Scotland won by 45 runs