Netherlands 129-6 (SL Kalis 48, K McGill 2 for 26) beat Scotland 111-7 (KE Bryce 23, HDJ Siegers 3 for 29) by 18 runs
The Netherlands claimed victory over Scotland in the final match of the ICC Women’s World T20 Europe/Americas Qualifier in Stirling thanks to a fine all-round performance from Heather Siegers. The Dutch captain’s 21 ball 32, together with 3 for 29 with the ball, proved to be decisive as her side ended a difficult week on a high. Overall victory was to be Scotland’s, however, as Abbi Aitken’s side topped the table on net run-rate.
Fresh from their earlier victory over USA the Netherlands were put into bat for a second time and opener Sterre Kalis duly got the innings underway with a second ball boundary. The first over was to end with the run out of Babette de Leede (1), however, and with Samantha Haggo making another breakthrough in the seventh, too, as Cher van Slobbe (6) was caught by a back-pedalling Lorna Jack, the Netherlands were reduced to 32-2.
Kalis has showed that she was in fine form during her 88 against the USA and the young all-rounder looked to cut loose again, taking back-to-back boundaries off a Priyanaz Chatterji over which cost twelve. With Heather Siegers finding her range, too, Scotland suddenly found themselves under pressure as the pair took their score to over a run-a-ball.
Two quick wickets were to change the complexion of the innings, however, as Siegers’ slow turn ended in her being run out before Chatterji knocked back the stumps of Kalis (48) two balls later. The bowlers applied the shackles once more with Katie McGill picking up two wickets in the 19th over, Miranda Veringmeier (13) being bowled before Kathryn Bryce took a fine catch at long on to dismiss Helmien Rambaldo (12), and in restricting the Netherlands to 129-6 Scotland’s bowlers had fought back well.
The opening pair of Jack and Bryce began watchfully against an improved display from the Dutch seamers, but on a pitch that had seen both sunshine and showers over the course of the day regular wickets thwarted the attempts of the batting side to build momentum. The fall of Jack (12), Kathryn Bryce (23) and Sarah Bryce (9) reduced Scotland to 60-3, and with Lois Wilkinson (3), Rebecca Glen (10) and Elizabeth Priddle (2) following, too, with Scotland over fifty runs short and less than four overs remaining net run-rate became the most likely way of finding the winners of the tournament.
In an exciting finish the seventh wicket pair of Katie McGill and Priyanaz Chatterji both found the boundary as a late flurry of runs took Scotland beyond 100, and despite McGill (13) falling in the final over Scotland had done enough to confirm their position at the top of the table.
“I’m excited, delighted, but relieved,” said Abbi Aitken. “It’s been a very frustrating week watching the rain fall and wondering of the tournament was going to go ahead. It’s been really difficult for the girls and I’m sure it has been for the other two teams as well.
Scotland captain, Abbi Aitken, leads her team on to the field to the sounds of the Alloa Bowmar Pipe Band
“All credit to the Netherlands today. It wasn’t the best performance from us but it’s great to be able to finish the tournament as winners.
“Conditions were tricky for us all today. It was wet and slippy, very difficult to move around in the field, and the pitch we were on was a bit more sticky than the one we played on earlier in the week.
“But so much credit has to go to the groundstaff for managing to get something prepared so we could get some cricket in. They have done a fantastic job throughout the week.”
