Ireland Outclass Netherlands To Make World Twenty20

Ireland Outclass Netherlands To Make World Twenty20

Alex Cusack (right) cuts the ball away to reach his half-century for Ireland against the Netherlands.

©International Cricket Council

Ireland 151-6 (Cusack 65, Jonkman 2-21) beat
Netherlands 86 (Dockrell 4-20) by 65 runs
ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier Super Fours, Dubai
Scorecard

Ireland outclassed the Netherlands during their qualifying Super Four game in Dubai to take a 65-run win that books their place in the upcoming ICC World Twenty20 in the Caribbean.

Alex Cusack smashed 65 in 44 balls as Ireland batted well to reach 151 for six and spinner George Dockrell then returned four for 20 as the Dutch were bowled out for 86, barely threatening to get on terms.

The result means that Ireland will join Afghanistan in the global event in the West Indies, which begins on 30th April.

Cusack hit three fours and three sixes in his innings after openers William Porterfield (6) and Niall O'Brien (11) departed early. After Trent Johnston fell cheaply for two, Cusack was supported by Gary Wilson, who made 29 in 23 balls and despite a couple of wickets from Mark Jonkman, Ireland's innings was given a final flourish with John Mooney unbeaten on 17 in 13 balls and Andrew White blasting 14 in eight deliveries.

Mudassar Bukhari, Ryan ten Doeschate, Pieter Seelaar and Mohammad Kashif all grabbed a wicket apiece.

The Netherlands' progress throughout the tournament had been set up by solid opening stands but this time Ireland's opening bowler Peter Connell ended Alexei Kervezee's involvement just four balls into the reply and quickly removed Bukhari without scoring to put the Netherlands on the back foot.

Eric Szwarczynski (17) and Bas Zuiderent (15) made starts but couldn't go on and the Dutch lurched into trouble at 62 for six as Dockrell began to spin Ireland to a position of dominance.

Ten Doeschate remained the men in orange's last hope, and he hit 32 in 20 balls but his dismissal, caught by Connell of Andre Botha, sparked the end for the Netherlands, who lost their last three wickets for one run in five balls.

Connell finished with two for 23, Johnston two for 14 and Botha two for 15 to back up Dockrell's fine effort.

© Cricket World 2010

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