Full Commentary: 1st Match England v Netherlands

Jun.06, 2009 in England, Full Commentary, Netherlands

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Netherlands form a cuddle-huddle - they’re really, really fired up for this. Bopara and Wright are the openers. Australia’s Netherlands’ Dirk Nannes has the ball. Here we go…

England’s anthem drones out of the speakers - Swann’s belting it out, good on you Graeme. Collingwood, too, is stretching those vocal chords. Not a whimper from Anderson, Sidebottom, Rashid. The shame, honestly. Right - cricket is upon us at long, long last. The floodlights are on and the umpires, clad in their summer fleeces, are marching towards the middle.

The Duke of Kent gave a rousing speech, talking about all sorts of things. “A family friendly” event, and, well, it received predictably deafening applause. Here come the players out of the pavilion, all of whom clasp hands with some kids. Not quite sure why, but it re-enforces the Duke’s words I suppose. And here come the national anthem of the Netherlands. Well, I didn’t think England’s own dreary number could be worsened, but I think we have a winner, ladies and gents.

Netherlands win the toss and will bowl. We will apparently be watching live, actual cricket players playing the game at 5.50pm. Stay chuned, folks.

5.30pm Right. The toss is due in a few minutes and play will apparently start at 5.50pm. I have run out of things to say, and will rest my RSI fingers until something actually happens.

Opening ceremony newswatch It’s been abandoned. The cricket should get underway at 5.30, which is in about 12 minutes, but the fans are deprived of Alesha Dixon and Co., and the opening ceremony’s been ditched. Oh. Dear. Still, not even the ICC can prevent the rain falling. It’s been an inauspicious start to say the least.

5.15pm Opening ceremony and rain newswatch No sign of the toss. Or the cricket. The covers are being folded back on and it’s starting to rain quite steadily now.

5.05pm Final preparations underway. Play will start at 5.30pm, we are assured. No really! “Let’s dump the opening ceremony and get on with the cricket,” asks / suggests / rhetoricises Atherton.

“I bumped into Stuart Broad in a bar last Wednesday in Nottingham,” slurs Tom C, “and he assured me England would win both the T20 World Cup and the Ashes. The exuberance of youth!”

Stage preparation newswatch: The stage where Miss Dixon will be dancing is currently being dried…by barefoot people shuffling camply on towels. There are loads of players, people, cameramen, administrators - all sorts really - mingling around in the outfield. Six minutes to go until the opening ceremony.

Opening ceremony newswatch: Alesha Dixon will be strutting her amiable stuff at 5.05pm, we hear. Unless there’s another delay of course. The match is thus pushed back a wee bit too.

Kevin Pietersenewswatch: England chief medical officer, Nick Peirce, informs us that “Kevin had been making excellent progress with the management of his right Achilles injury and had shown substantial improvement. However today he has experienced a degree of pain which medical assessments have suggested may be related to some aggravation from his lower back.”

“I saw Kevin Pietersen at Lord’s on Wednesday,” says Sarah Robinson, “and during the warm ups, he was refereeing the football rather than playing and did completely different warm ups to everyone else.” So there.

Umbrella newswatch: The brollies are stretching into action. Ahhh, summer.

Opening ceremony newswatch: It’s delayed. It was due at 4.40pm, 10 minutes ago, so…we’re in for a little wait I’m afraid. Or are we? We’re ready to get underway, apparently. No! Right. We’ll let you know when it actually happens. The covers are being dragged back on I’m afraid, and it’s very gloomy out in the middle. Nothing terminal, I assure you, but this is just what the organisers didn’t need: rain. No toss yet, either.

Team news: Pietersen out, Key in. Interesting indeed. Pietersen looked in fine form the other day in England’s warm-up against West Indies, and admitted to be in fine fettle - diving in the outfield “for the first time in years” - so this comes as a great surprise. And Adil Rashid is going to play instead of Graeme Swann. Concern over injuries, or are England treating a minnow nation lightly? I’m sticking to the former.

I’m sure most English readers - nay, everyone - will remember the insipid opening ceremony of 1999’s World Cup in England. Nothing can surely stoop that low. I’m confident today’s will be fitting and exciting. Well, quite confident.

4.30pm The opening ceremony is so very nearly upon us. Ten short minutes to wait until Alesha Dixon and Co get things underway. Don’t forget, you can listen to today’s match and the entire tournament via our radio broadcast. It’s great value and very worthwhile.

Before the match, we have the opening ceremony which we’ll bring to you live here - and before that, you can chat to our three cheery editors: Martin Williamson, Andrew Miller and Australia’s very own Alex Brown. Click here to get stuck in, and you can email in your questions to the excitable trio. We’ll be back, live, shortly before 4.30pm.

Hello, hallo, goededag and greetings one and all to our coverage of the first exciting match of this year’s ICC World Twenty20. I’m Will Luke, and together with a veritable melee of colleagues, will be guiding you through today’s action-packed event from Lord’s. Foreign readers will doubtless be astonished to hear that our summer has briefly come to a drizzly halt: it’s about 18c with a thick and comforting blanket of cumulus covering the ground, but we reckon we should start on time at 5.30pm.

0.1

Nannes to Bopara, FOUR, a full toss outside off stump, Bopara clamps down on it and squeezes it past point for four!

0.2

Nannes to Bopara, no run, good pace - wide of the off stump and Bopara decides to leave alone

0.3

Nannes to Bopara, no run, punched very hard to point but it’s superbly stopped. Good, sprawling effort

0.4

Nannes to Bopara, FOUR, top shot. Just a little too short and wide and Bopara timed it beautifully past point

Quick outfield, in spite of the drizzle earlier. Good signs

0.5

Nannes to Bopara, 1 wide, down the leg side - wide

0.5

Nannes to Bopara, no run, better ball, dropped to leg by Bopara

0.6

Nannes to Bopara, no run, smashed out to cover - again, wonderful timing, but very impressive fielding by Netherlands
End of over 1 (9 runs) England 9/0 (RR: 9.00)
RS Bopara 8* (6b 2×4) DP Nannes 1-0-9-0
LJ Wright 0* (0b)

“It’s fairly full other than the tops of the Grandstand and the Tavern,” says Martin Williamson, executive editor of Cricinfo and managing editor of ESPN Digital Media in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. “The Dutch are out in force and they’re going to enjoy their big day. But the pavilion, as in 1999, is shamefully empty.”

1.1

Schiferli to Wright, FOUR, flicked to leg - four more. Wrong line from Schiferli and it’s easily clipped off his pads

1.2

Schiferli to Wright, no run, cut hard to point - another good stop

1.3

Schiferli to Wright, no run, better, tighter line on the off stump and cutting back into Wright, forcing off the back foot

1.4

Schiferli to Wright, 1 run, driven inside out to mid-off

“The floodlights are really making a difference. It’s gloomy but they are very impressive,” says Martin. “The Dutch hardcore are mainly assembled in the Mound Stand.”

1.5

Schiferli to Bopara, 2 runs, flicked to leg off his pads - neat timing and placement

1.6

Schiferli to Bopara, 1 run, driven out to the off side
End of over 2 (8 runs) England 17/0 (RR: 8.50)
RS Bopara 11* (8b 2×4) E Schiferli 1-0-8-0
LJ Wright 5* (4b 1×4) DP Nannes 1-0-9-0

2.1

Nannes to Bopara, no run, decent pace from Nannes - 90mph - but it’s quite comfortably defended on the back foot

2.2

Nannes to Bopara, 1 run, ooh that looked sharp - a full length on the leg stump at 92.9mph. Tidiily tucked to leg

2.3

Nannes to Wright, 1 run, quick ball on his legs - wrong line from Nannes so far in this over. Flicked off his hip

2.4

Nannes to Bopara, 1 wide, this bloke’s got wheels! That was seriously sharp, bouncing and lifting over Bopara’s attempted hook. He’s a little peeved that it’s been wided

2.4

Nannes to Bopara, no run, beaten by an absolute cracker! This is terrific stuff from Nannes. It pitched on leg stump and left him at stiffening pace

2.5

Nannes to Bopara, 2 runs, a touch fuller by Nannes, full enough for Bopara to flick this with (dare I suggest it?) Tendulkar-like elegance through midwicket. Excellent fielding, however, prevents four

2.6

Nannes to Bopara, 1 run, guided down past point
End of over 3 (6 runs) England 23/0 (RR: 7.66)
RS Bopara 15* (13b 2×4) DP Nannes 2-0-15-0
LJ Wright 6* (5b 1×4) E Schiferli 1-0-8-0

“Guys, where are the cheerleaders.” Chinka Bokal, you have an immensely good point indeed. Where are the cheerleaders?

3.1

Schiferli to Bopara, 1 run, a full toss and he misses out, clipping it to leg for just a single

3.2

Schiferli to Wright, no run, on-driven past mid-on

“A lot of orange Dutch caps in evidence in the Mound Stand,” notes Martin

3.3

Schiferli to Wright, 1 run, angles in a touch to Wright who drives inside out, though rather lacks the power

Wright took a while to get going against West Indies, and he looks as though he’s taking his time tonight too

3.4

Schiferli to Bopara, no run, that’s a good nut - nice and full and straight enough. Squeezed out to the off side

3.5

Schiferli to Bopara, FOUR, bang! Only fractionally too straight, but Bopara just whipped it through midwicket with great power for four

3.6

Schiferli to Bopara, no run, full ball, smacked straight back to the bowler
End of over 4 (6 runs) England 29/0 (RR: 7.25)
RS Bopara 20* (17b 3×4) E Schiferli 2-0-14-0
LJ Wright 7* (7b 1×4) DP Nannes 2-0-15-0

Tremendous news from Martin. Bring this on. “There are three cheerleaders in front of the Warner Stand,” he says, excitably. “Well wrapped-up and rather out of place. But they are here.” Talking of nothing, here’s Ryan ten Doeschate

4.1

ten Doeschate to Wright, 1 wide, and he starts with a wide down the leg side

4.1

ten Doeschate to Wright, no run, much better - nice and full. Wright smacks it to ten Doeschate’s right who fields brilliantly

Crash hot in the field, RTD

4.2

ten Doeschate to Wright, 1 wide, a monster of a wide down the leg side. RTD hasn’t quite got it right here

4.2

ten Doeschate to Wright, 2 runs, Wright goes for a drive but top-edges this - where’s it gone? Nannes gives chase at wide mid-on, but he couldn’t quite get there

4.3

ten Doeschate to Wright, no run, squared up a touch, defends back to the bowler

4.4

ten Doeschate to Wright, no run, excellent, full delivery - too full to drive

4.5

ten Doeschate to Wright, 1 run, defended out to cover

4.6

ten Doeschate to Bopara, FOUR, oh, what a shot - square driven with flair and timing for four. He is looking in supreme touch, Bopara
End of over 5 (9 runs) England 38/0 (RR: 7.60)
RS Bopara 24* (18b 4×4) RN ten Doeschate 1-0-9-0
LJ Wright 10* (12b 1×4) E Schiferli 2-0-14-0

“I hope Wasim Akram learns to pronoun Dirk Nannes’ name correctly,” writes a feedbacker. “At least by the end of the tourney. He’s called him everything from ‘Derek’ to ‘Nanas’.”

5.1

Schiferli to Wright, FOUR, clubbed, or wellied, over mid-on. Mistimed really - Wright’s really trying to force his shots at the moment with plenty of bottom hand. It’s working, but he does need to begin to time it, not just welly the ball

5.2

Schiferli to Wright, no run

Martin, our boss, is on cheerleader watch. “We have three more cheerleaders in front of the Tavern. This really is too much. If they start in front of the pavilion then we may have to put the local hospital on standby.”

5.3

Schiferli to Wright, 2 runs, much fuller, much better. Clipped to leg but he gets two

5.4

Schiferli to Wright, 2 runs, ping! A real slog from Wright over midwicket, and it falls like a shell in the outfield

5.5

Schiferli to Wright, FOUR, bang! He stands tall and absolutely slaps it square of the wicket. Terrific blow, that

5.6

Schiferli to Wright, 1 run, squeezed out square of the wicket
End of over 6 (13 runs) England 51/0 (RR: 8.50)
LJ Wright 23* (18b 3×4) E Schiferli 3-0-27-0
RS Bopara 24* (18b 4×4) RN ten Doeschate 1-0-9-0

Pieter Seelaar, a spinner, into the attack

6.1

Seelaar to Wright, no run, tossed up outside off, driven to cover

6.2

Seelaar to Wright, 1 run, flicked to midwicket

6.3

Seelaar to Bopara, 1 run, shorter length, Bopara works it down to long-on. They think about a second after an overthrow, but decide against it

6.4

Seelaar to Wright, 1 run, nudged off his hip

6.5

Seelaar to Bopara, 1 run, full toss, worked to wide mid-on for another single

6.6

Seelaar to Wright, no run, clamps forward and pats it out to the off side

A calming, quiet first over that
End of over 7 (4 runs) England 55/0 (RR: 7.85)
LJ Wright 25* (22b 3×4) PM Seelaar 1-0-4-0
RS Bopara 26* (20b 4×4) E Schiferli 3-0-27-0

Useful start this by England. Here’s none other than Peter Borren

7.1

Borren to Bopara, 1 run, elegantly driven over Borren’s head, but long-off fields. Wonderful timing, mind

7.2

Borren to Wright, 1 run, lines up a powerful drive, but he’s, well, lacking power

7.3

Borren to Bopara, 1 run, turned to leg for a single

7.4

Borren to Wright, 1 run, slams one down the ground, stepping outside the leg stump

7.5

Borren to Bopara, 1 run, one-legged flick to leg. Huge amounts of wristiness

7.6

Borren to Wright, 5 wides, how was he not bowled! Wright’s got away with one there, attempting a Morganesque paddle-flick which so nearly knocked out his leg stump. It beats Smits, the keeper, too

7.6

Borren to Wright, 2 runs, tossed up on leg stump, and excellent running brings them two to midwicket
End of over 8 (12 runs) England 67/0 (RR: 8.37)
LJ Wright 29* (25b 3×4) PW Borren 1-0-12-0
RS Bopara 29* (23b 4×4) PM Seelaar 1-0-4-0

8.1

Seelaar to Bopara, 2 runs, opens the face and carves it out to deep cover point

Don’t forget about the live radio coverage you can access at Cricket Radio which is available everywhere except India and South Africa. When the player window opens, you will see a radio link just below the main screen. It rocks.

8.2

Seelaar to Bopara, 1 run, good, tight line and it’s carefully driven out to the off side

8.3

Seelaar to Wright, 1 run, steps down the pitch and outside leg stump, desperately trying to give himself more room to swing his arms. Just a single though

8.4

Seelaar to Bopara, 2 runs, Bopara, too, gives himself room and gets two to the sweeper on the extra cover boundary

8.5

Seelaar to Bopara, FOUR, shot! Fantastic extra-cover drive and he fully committed to it. Bosh

“It’s official. Alesha has left the building. Possibly her easiest ever payday,” screams her biggest fan, Martin Williamson.

8.6

Seelaar to Bopara, 1 run, driven to long-on
End of over 9 (11 runs) England 78/0 (RR: 8.66)
RS Bopara 39* (28b 5×4) PM Seelaar 2-0-15-0
LJ Wright 30* (26b 3×4) PW Borren 1-0-12-0

9.1

ten Doeschate to Bopara, 1 run, he’s given that everything, smacking it down to long-on, but Netherlands’ field-placings are excellent tonight

9.2

ten Doeschate to Wright, FOUR, ooh, very nearly the first six! Wright steps outside leg and carves it over point for four

Martin tells us it’s getting a little darker overhead. Really quite gloomy now

9.3

ten Doeschate to Wright, 2 runs, bludgeoned down the ground for two

9.4

ten Doeschate to Wright, 2 runs, a full toss, boshed over midwicket but there’s a man on the boundary and, by heck, he does a splendid job of stopping it going for four

9.5

ten Doeschate to Wright, no run, a huge swing and a miss!

9.6

ten Doeschate to Wright, 2 runs, Wright tries to whack this over long-on but it skies over point, and fortunately for him, safely so
End of over 10 (11 runs) England 89/0 (RR: 8.90)
LJ Wright 40* (31b 4×4) RN ten Doeschate 2-0-20-0
RS Bopara 40* (29b 5×4) PM Seelaar 2-0-15-0

Righto - so we’ve had ten overs. England have an excellent base here

10.1

Borren to Bopara, 1 run, banged down the ground

10.2

Borren to Wright, 1 run, square-driven - good, tight line and encouraging pace

10.3

Borren to Bopara, 2 runs, woops! A howling misfield at extra cover to a scorching drive. The bowler is furious

10.4

Borren to Bopara, 1 run, driven again to Mr Van Bunge, who again misfields to the delight of a now-drunk crowd

10.5

Borren to Wright, 2 runs, two more, to midwicket this time

10.6

Borren to Wright, FOUR, four more! A full toss which pitched at about thigh height, and Wright wellied it over the top for four. Difficult to time shots like those with the ball dipping late on you, but he played it excellently
End of over 11 (11 runs) England 100/0 (RR: 9.09)
LJ Wright 47* (34b 5×4) PW Borren 2-0-23-0
RS Bopara 44* (32b 5×4) RN ten Doeschate 2-0-20-0

That’s England’s first hundred partnership in Twenty20s. Not a bad stage on which to produce it. Here’s Ryan ten Doeschate, or RTD for the time being

11.1

ten Doeschate to Bopara, 2 runs, elegantly driven to long-on, who is a little slow off the blocks and they job a second with ease

11.2

ten Doeschate to Bopara, OUT, excellent catch at long-on. Bopara went for a big slog across the line but skied it, forcing Seelaar long-on to run several yards back and to his right

c Seelaar b ten Doeschate 46 (48m 34b 5×4 0×6) SR: 135.29

Celebrations galore after that wicket

11.3

ten Doeschate to Wright, 1 run, full toss which Shah bashes out to long-off

11.4

ten Doeschate to Shah, no run, good line and length. Shah drops it out to the off side for a zero

11.5

ten Doeschate to Shah, 2 runs, works this nicely off his pads

11.6

ten Doeschate to Shah, 1 run, clipped off his pads to steal the strike
End of over 12 (6 runs) England 106/1 (RR: 8.83)
OA Shah 3* (3b) RN ten Doeschate 3-0-26-1
LJ Wright 48* (35b 5×4) PW Borren 2-0-23-0

Rather oddly, three of the cheerleaders have disappeared, leaving two on the Grandstand side and one on the Tavern side. Hypothermia perhaps?

12.1

Borren to Shah, no run, excellent ball! Very full, almost yorker length

12.2

Borren to Shah, no run, full toss, defended to cover…

Owais understandably looks peeved at himself. Go on, son - whack it

12.3

Borren to Shah, 1 run, quicker ball on his toes, flicked to wide long-on

12.4

Borren to Wright, 1 run, tickled around the corner

12.5

Borren to Shah, 1 run, a touch slower and it’s patted out to the off side

12.6

Borren to Wright, 1 run, whips this to leg - excellent over that

Fifty for Luke Wright, who continues to look like he might need ID at an off licence. Impressive and mature knock by him though, 50 from 37. The base has been laid. Now go berserk.
End of over 13 (4 runs) England 110/1 (RR: 8.46)
LJ Wright 50* (37b 5×4) PW Borren 3-0-27-0
OA Shah 5* (7b) RN ten Doeschate 3-0-26-1

13.1

Schiferli to Wright, 2 runs, down the pitch and somehow it lands safe at mid-on! They only get a single, too - shoddy cricket allround there.

13.2

Schiferli to Wright, 1 run, clatters it along the turf to long-on

“Isn’t it great to see a T20 match without those stupid strategic timeouts,” Josh Wilkinson spits.

13.3

Schiferli to Shah, OUT, oops. Beautifully timed flick off his pads but straight down square-leg’s throat, who barely needed to move a muscle

c Kervezee b Schiferli 5 (8m 8b 0×4 0×6) SR: 62.50

This will be fun. Here’s Eoin Morgan. The ball could go absolutely anywhere

13.4

Schiferli to Morgan, 1 run, squeezes it out to the off side and immediately he’s off the mark

13.5

Schiferli to Wright, 1 run, angled to short third man. Morgan’s backing up is quick and urgent and the single is easily stolen

13.6

Schiferli to Morgan, 1 run, opens the face, guiding to third man

Just six from that over - Netherlands have done really well to calm things down here.
End of over 14 (6 runs) England 116/2 (RR: 8.28)
EJG Morgan 2* (2b) E Schiferli 4-0-33-1
LJ Wright 54* (40b 5×4) PW Borren 3-0-27-0

14.1

Nannes to Morgan, 1 run, nudged to leg for a single

14.2

Nannes to Wright, 1 run, steps to leg and cuts down to third man

14.3

Nannes to Morgan, no run, ouch - that’s quick. Nannes is seriously slippery. Morgan beaten for pace and is whacked on the stomach

14.4

Nannes to Morgan, 1 run, goes for a pull, slapping it down to long-on

14.5

Nannes to Wright, FOUR, that’s a great blow! Steps outside leg and hammers it over cover. A real piece of humpty, that - timed the pants off it

14.6

Nannes to Wright, 1 run, nudged to leg
End of over 15 (8 runs) England 124/2 (RR: 8.26)
LJ Wright 60* (43b 6×4) DP Nannes 3-0-23-0
EJG Morgan 4* (5b) E Schiferli 4-0-33-1

“The recession is in evidence,” Martin reckons. “Half the boxes in the Mound Stand are empty, and a few in Grandstand as well.”

15.1

Borren to Wright, 1 run, carved out to the off side

15.2

Borren to Morgan, 2 runs, steps forward onto the front foot, patting it out to the off side. Just like Stephen Fleming might have done, if that helps you picture it

15.3

Borren to Morgan, no run, fuller and quicker, nudged back to the bowler

15.4

Borren to Morgan, OUT, reverse-swept straight to point! Usually such a productive shot for Morgan, and he timed this especially impressively, but just picked out the fielder

c Zuiderent b Borren 6 (10m 8b 0×4 0×6) SR: 75.00

Netherlands really have done excellently since the tenth over. They’ve bowled mostly full and accurately and England have found it hard going.

Collingwood at the crease. You can’t help feeling England are missing Pietersen in this type of situation: a five-over thrash. It ought not to hurt them against Netherlands, but against stronger teams … hmm.

15.5

Borren to Collingwood, no run, such of shape back into Collingwood who bashes it back to him

15.6

Borren to Collingwood, 1 run, driven to long-off
End of over 16 (4 runs) England 128/3 (RR: 8.00)
PD Collingwood 1* (2b) PW Borren 4-0-31-1
LJ Wright 61* (44b 6×4) DP Nannes 3-0-23-0

16.1

Seelaar to Collingwood, FOUR, down the pitch and he lofts it over the covers - and a horrible howler on the boundary gives him four!

16.2

Seelaar to Collingwood, 1 run, pulled through midwicket

16.3

Seelaar to Wright, 1 run, nice and full, down the leg side, Wright works it to long-on

The length has been key for Netherlands tonight. Really cramping England at the moment

16.4

Seelaar to Collingwood, 1 run, full toss pulled, with a short-arm jab, for a rinky dinky little single

16.5

Seelaar to Wright, FOUR, over the top for four! Wright rarely looks elegant when hitting over the top, but he is mighty effective

16.6

Seelaar to Wright, 1 run, dropped him, though that was absolutely nailed back to the bowler at tremendous pace. Sheesh - he hit that with some power!
End of over 17 (12 runs) England 140/3 (RR: 8.23)
LJ Wright 67* (47b 7×4) PM Seelaar 3-0-27-0
PD Collingwood 7* (5b 1×4) PW Borren 4-0-31-1

17.1

ten Doeschate to Wright, FOUR, top scooping from Wright. Down on one knee and he flicks it, past his face, over the keeper’s left shoulder for four! I love those shots. Outrageous quantities of cheek

17.2

ten Doeschate to Wright, OUT, got him this time! He tried to pull it over midwicket for six but it just didn’t have quite the legs on it

c Borren b ten Doeschate 71 (75m 49b 8×4 0×6) SR: 144.89

Top knock, that. I wonder if it’ll be the making of Wright in internationals

It’s Bobby Key to the crease. England need a few more here

17.3

ten Doeschate to Collingwood, 1 run, dances down the crease and pats to cover

17.4

ten Doeschate to Key, 2 runs, stroked to long-off for a single - err, for two I think. Key really has to get his skates on though, and Smits roars an appeal but it’s little more than hopeful.

Stuart Campbell emails: “So England replace KP with one of the best T20 players in the country in England in Rob Key and he’s still not come in to bat. Are England doing their bit for Euro relations in handing this game to the Dutch or have the Dutch team been feeding them ’special’ cake?” Careful…

17.5

ten Doeschate to Key, 1 run, steps outside leg, chinks it out to mid-off

17.6

ten Doeschate to Collingwood, 1 run, on one knee, flipped through midwicket
End of over 18 (9 runs) England 149/4 (RR: 8.27)
PD Collingwood 9* (7b 1×4) RN ten Doeschate 4-0-35-2
RWT Key 3* (2b) PM Seelaar 3-0-27-0

Richard emails: “Perhaps they should introduce a new bowling stat for T20 - dot balls per over.”

18.1

Seelaar to Collingwood, 1 run, down the leg side and urgently clipped with chippy enthusiasm through midwicket

There’s the 150 for England

18.2

Seelaar to Key, 1 run, goes inside out, driving to mid-off

18.3

Seelaar to Collingwood, 1 run, a slap to long-off

Great stuff this from Netherlands. Singles are fine

18.4

Seelaar to Key, 1 run, Key gives himself vast amounts of room, stepping outside leg, and lifts it over cover

18.5

Seelaar to Collingwood, OUT, full toss, Collingwood tries to loft him over the boundary but finds long-on

c Schiferli b Seelaar 11 (14m 10b 1×4 0×6) SR: 110.00

18.6

Seelaar to Key, 2 runs, flicked around the corner
End of over 19 (6 runs) England 155/5 (RR: 8.15)
RWT Key 7* (5b) PM Seelaar 4-0-33-1
JS Foster 0* (0b) RN ten Doeschate 4-0-35-2

So then, England. What have you in store these last six balls?

19.1

Nannes to Foster, 1 run, steps to leg to give himself room but slaps it straight to mid-off

19.2

Nannes to Key, 1 run, full and straight, Key can only chip it to mid-off

19.3

Nannes to Foster, 1 run, Foster gets into a tangle, beaten for pace here and Foster’s nearly run out as he delayed his run

This guy is seriously sharp.

19.4

Nannes to Key, 1 wide, a rare wide from Netherlands, down the leg side

19.4

Nannes to Key, 1 run, slapped down to third man for just a single, again. Excellent, fast and tight bowling from Nannes

19.5

Nannes to Foster, 1 run, slapped to cover

Last ball!

19.6

Nannes to Key, 1 run, a full toss, bunged to short midwicket

“Your radio commentary is sensational!” says Albert. That’s far too kind. Click here if you’ve not yet signed up for our tournament radio coverage. Or have a listen to satirist and comedian Andy Zaltzman’s podcast preview or his always-enjoyable blog.

Well that’s a really gutsy and impressive performance by Netherlands. Bopara and Wright were seriously motoring at the halfway point, but thereafter England only managed 73 from the last ten. A target of 163 is still tall for Netherlands, but if ten Doeschate tees off - it’s anyone’s game. Ergo, join us in ten short minutes for the chase
End of over 20 (7 runs) England 162/5 (RR: 8.10)
RWT Key 10* (8b) DP Nannes 4-0-30-0
JS Foster 3* (3b) PM Seelaar 4-0-33-1

Netherlands innings

Blimey - they’re off already. Here comes Anderson! Barely had time to sip a cup of tea

0.1

Anderson to Kervezee, 1 run, down the leg side

0.2

Anderson to Reekers, 1 run, oh well bowled - that takes the splice of the bat, the ball flying safely short of third man

0.3

Anderson to Kervezee, no run, fast and straight, and a hint of swing - but no more than a hint. Flipped off his pads

0.4

Anderson to Kervezee, no run, fullish, he’s forward and defending to point who wings in an intimidatory throw

0.5

Anderson to Kervezee, OUT, goes for a pull, yes, this’ll be easily taken - he’s skied it straight to the skyscraping figure of Broad at mid-on

c Broad b Anderson 1 (2m 4b 0×4 0×6) SR: 25.00

0.6

Anderson to Reekers, no run, oh that’s out. No it’s not - rapped on the pads but a little too high
End of over 1 (2 runs) Netherlands 2/1 (161 runs required from 19 overs, RR: 2.00, RRR: 8.47)
DJ Reekers 1* (2b) JM Anderson 1-0-2-1
B Zuiderent 0* (0b)

Here’s Sidebottom

1.1

Sidebottom to Zuiderent, no run, outside off, left alone

1.2

Sidebottom to Zuiderent, no run, what a cracker that is! Cuts back on the right hander at pace. That moved some, I’m here to tell you

1.3

Sidebottom to Zuiderent, 1 run, flays the bat at it - that’s the spirit! Whack it! - and it flies down to third man

1.4

Sidebottom to Reekers, SIX, catch that, catch it - catch it in the crowd! He goes for a pull and it sails over midwicket. A monstrous hit!

1.5

Sidebottom to Reekers, no run, steps to leg and tries to slap it over midwicket

1.6

Sidebottom to Reekers, 1 run, spearing into his legs, he flicks to leg
End of over 2 (8 runs) Netherlands 10/1 (153 runs required from 18 overs, RR: 5.00, RRR: 8.50)
DJ Reekers 8* (5b 1×6) RJ Sidebottom 1-0-8-0
B Zuiderent 1* (3b) JM Anderson 1-0-2-1

2.1

Anderson to Reekers, FOUR, beautiful! Nothing more than a little flick off his toes and it absolutely sped for four. Great timing.

England didn’t hit a single six in their innings, by the way

2.2

Anderson to Reekers, no run, ooh that’s more like it from the man they call James Anderson. An inswinger which nearly knocks the hefty figure of Reekers off his feet

2.3

Anderson to Reekers, SIX, six more, please! What a stroke that is from Reekers - a short-arm jab and it sails flat for six.

2.4

Anderson to Reekers, 2 runs, gives himself room and guides it out to the off side

2.5

Anderson to Reekers, 1 leg bye, Reekers goes for another leg-side glory flip but is squared up

2.6

Anderson to Zuiderent, no run, youch, that spat up from nowhere and hammered into his gloves. Good pace from Anderson
End of over 3 (13 runs) Netherlands 23/1 (140 runs required from 17 overs, RR: 7.66, RRR: 8.23)
B Zuiderent 1* (4b) JM Anderson 2-0-14-1
DJ Reekers 20* (10b 1×4 2×6) RJ Sidebottom 1-0-8-0

“The first six of the tournament was hit by an Associate batsman!” says Michael. “Woohoo!” he adds. Well, quite so. If you like Associate cricket - and frankly, who doesn’t? - why not check out our peerless Beyond the Test World blog? You know it makes sense. Right. Here’s Broad

3.1

Broad to Reekers, no run, short of a length, bashed out to the off side

3.2

Broad to Reekers, no run, quite wide of the off stump, Reekers steps outside leg - almost off the cut strip

3.3

Broad to Reekers, OUT, got him! Reekers is furious with himself as he attempts another pull but can’t time it

c Shah b Broad 20 (14m 13b 1×4 2×6) SR: 153.84

3.4

Broad to Zuiderent, 1 run, short, wide and cut hard to third man

Tim de Grooth is the new batsman

3.5

Broad to de Grooth, FOUR, that’s a cracker to start his innings. A jabby cut and he’s timed it perfectly past point for four. Broad’s furious. But then, Broad’s always furious.

3.6

Broad to de Grooth, no run, slammed to mid-off
End of over 4 (5 runs) Netherlands 28/2 (135 runs required from 16 overs, RR: 7.00, RRR: 8.43)
TN de Grooth 4* (2b 1×4) SCJ Broad 1-0-5-1
B Zuiderent 2* (5b) JM Anderson 2-0-14-1

“It’s getting dark again,” says Martin, prince of darkness in every sense.

4.1

Sidebottom to Zuiderent, 2 leg byes, off the pad and down to fine leg

4.2

Sidebottom to Zuiderent, 1 run, quick ball on his legs, and again it’s off the pads to the leg side

I’ve been impressed by Sidebottom’s speed in the warm-ups and again today. That last one was 87mph

4.3

Sidebottom to de Grooth, no run, too quick to handle, and an excellent line on middle-and-leg

4.4

Sidebottom to de Grooth, no run, beaten for pace! And lift, too. That shot off the surface!

4.5

Sidebottom to de Grooth, 1 run, guided down to third man

4.6

Sidebottom to Zuiderent, 4 leg byes, a waste from Sidebottom - down the leg side, and not even Foster can stop it
End of over 5 (8 runs) Netherlands 36/2 (127 runs required from 15 overs, RR: 7.20, RRR: 8.46)
B Zuiderent 3* (8b) RJ Sidebottom 2-0-10-0
TN de Grooth 5* (5b 1×4) SCJ Broad 1-0-5-1

5.1

Broad to de Grooth, FOUR, shot - that’s a superb pull stroke in front of square for four. Really classy

5.2

Broad to de Grooth, 1 run, slower ball, cuts back into him

5.3

Broad to Zuiderent, no run, good, straight and slower delivery on middle stump which is carefully and studiously defended

“There’s been a surge of MCC members into the pavilion,” notes Martin, a proud MCC member himself. “There must be almost a hundred in there now.”

5.4

Broad to Zuiderent, FOUR, more runs for Netherlands, albeit via an inauspicious inside edge past the stumps

England need to keep the faith here (dreadful film, Keep the Faith, though the female lead is certainly watchable). Netherlands are utterly, butterly up for this contest

5.5

Broad to Zuiderent, 1 leg bye, dropped to leg for a hasty single

5.6

Broad to de Grooth, SIX, shot - a golf-swing-style club down the ground for six. 83 metres of Netherlands glory
End of over 6 (16 runs) Netherlands 52/2 (111 runs required from 14 overs, RR: 8.66, RRR: 7.92)
TN de Grooth 16* (8b 2×4 1×6) SCJ Broad 2-0-20-1
B Zuiderent 7* (11b 1×4) RJ Sidebottom 2-0-10-0

Rashid into the attack. 21-years-old and playing instead of Swann. And he’s facing some fired up Dutchmen

6.1

Rashid to Zuiderent, 1 run, on middle-and-leg - good line with which to start - whipped to leg

6.2

Rashid to de Grooth, FOUR, reverse sweep - has he got hold of it? You bet he has - he’s timed it over point for four!

6.3

Rashid to de Grooth, no run, holds this one back does Rashid, and it’s defended

6.4

Rashid to de Grooth, no run, ooh a quicker ball, the slider I reckon, and it passes the outside edge. Great take from Foster

6.5

Rashid to de Grooth, 1 run, stands tall and fairly thwacks it out to extra cover

6.6

Rashid to Zuiderent, 2 runs, the googly is stroked to mid-on who is quite deep, and a little lazy - they pick up two. Top work from Netherlands

The Dutch are dancing in the stands. Or they might be trying to stay warm. It’s bitterly cold.
End of over 7 (8 runs) Netherlands 60/2 (103 runs required from 13 overs, RR: 8.57, RRR: 7.92)
B Zuiderent 10* (13b 1×4) AU Rashid 1-0-8-0
TN de Grooth 21* (12b 3×4 1×6) SCJ Broad 2-0-20-1

Wright, who bowls with surprising pace sometimes, is into the attack. No smiles from England now. Game utterly on

7.1

Wright to de Grooth, 1 run, full, driven hard out to deep extra cover

7.2

Wright to Zuiderent, 1 run, full toss, he opens the face and cracks it out to the off side

7.3

Wright to de Grooth, 1 run, thin inside edge! That could so easily have smashed his stumps apart. Good effort by Foster diving to his left

7.4

Wright to Zuiderent, 1 run, hooked out to deep square leg

7.5

Wright to de Grooth, 2 runs, uppercut down to third man - Shah has to run a good 10 yards and prevents four

97 from 73 needed

7.6

Wright to de Grooth, no run, well a rare dot ball this time, worked to midwicket
End of over 8 (6 runs) Netherlands 66/2 (97 runs required from 12 overs, RR: 8.25, RRR: 8.08)
TN de Grooth 25* (16b 3×4 1×6) LJ Wright 1-0-6-0
B Zuiderent 12* (15b 1×4) AU Rashid 1-0-8-0

England were 67 without loss at the same stage

For those of you who are rugby fans, don’t forget that England play Argentina tomorrow and you can follow it on our sister site Scrum.com

8.1

Rashid to Zuiderent, OUT, got him! Rashid’s first international wicket and a good one it is, too, beating the right-hander in the flight with a classical legbreak, and Foster takes it high to his right before whipping off the bails

st †Foster b Rashid 12 (28m 16b 1×4 0×6) SR: 75.00

8.2

Rashid to Borren, FOUR, well that’s one way to start your innings! He plants his foot and absolutely murders this in front of square over midwicket! Take that

8.3

Rashid to Borren, 1 run, flicked to leg for a single. Excellent, urgent cricket from Netherlands

8.4

Rashid to de Grooth, 3 runs, cut hard past point - has it got the legs for four? Not quite, but they do get three

“A few people drifting out already,” says Martin. “They’ve seen enough and want to beat the rush.” Hmm. Well I’d say they’re missing a cracking opening match. Do stay with us, Cricinfo readers

8.5

Rashid to Borren, 1 run, swept around the corner

8.6

Rashid to de Grooth, FOUR, another superb slog-sweep for four, timing it sweetly! That absolutely flew off his bat
End of over 9 (13 runs) Netherlands 79/3 (84 runs required from 11 overs, RR: 8.77, RRR: 7.63)
TN de Grooth 32* (18b 4×4 1×6) AU Rashid 2-0-21-1
PW Borren 6* (3b 1×4) LJ Wright 1-0-6-0

9.1

Wright to Borren, 1 run, short of a length and nudged off his hip

9.2

Wright to de Grooth, FOUR, full toss outside off, steps to leg and flings his bat at it, the ball flying over Rashid at backward point. Four more!

Don’t go anywhere. We might be in for a corker, here. England are getting a little bit nervous

9.3

Wright to de Grooth, 2 runs, dropped to leg - he’s placed that really well, too! They’ll get an easy two

That’s what has been so impressive - lateral, sensible thinking by Netherlands, aware of the need for singles

9.4

Wright to de Grooth, 1 run, another single stolen to the leg side

Wakey wakey, England

9.5

Wright to Borren, 1 wide, a wide down the leg side - attempted bouncer? Well, either way, it was misdirected

9.5

Wright to Borren, 1 run, a quicker delivery which brushes off his pads, or perhaps shirt, but again the strike’s rotated

9.6

Wright to de Grooth, 2 runs, shimmies down the pitch and smudges one to long-on for another two

There ends another impressive and promising over for Netherlands.
End of over 10 (12 runs) Netherlands 91/3 (72 runs required from 60 balls, RR: 9.10, RRR: 7.20)
TN de Grooth 41* (22b 5×4 1×6) LJ Wright 2-0-18-0
PW Borren 8* (5b 1×4) AU Rashid 2-0-21-1

Foster’s standing up to Collingwood

England were 89 without loss at the same stage. Some very dark clouds are slowly moving this way, but I think we should just about be okay

10.1

Collingwood to Borren, 1 run, on middle stump, driven to mid-on

Pietersen (injured) is chatting to Broad on the boundary edge

10.2

Collingwood to de Grooth, 1 run, guided past the diving point - slight mixup between this pair! One of them didn’t realise the ball had escaped the fielder

70 needed from 58

10.3

Collingwood to Borren, 1 run, goes for a slog sweep but can’t make contact, the ball rebounding off Foster’s gloves

10.4

Collingwood to de Grooth, FOUR, a slow, loopy full toss. de Grooth takes a step down the pitch and flings it powerfully over midwicket - excellent placement, and a shoddy ball from Collingwood

10.5

Collingwood to de Grooth, no run, he plays and misses outside off. Good take from Foster

10.6

Collingwood to de Grooth, 1 run, outside off, another dibbly dobbler which is whipped to square leg
End of over 11 (8 runs) Netherlands 99/3 (64 runs required from 54 balls, RR: 9.00, RRR: 7.11)
TN de Grooth 47* (26b 6×4 1×6) PD Collingwood 1-0-8-0
PW Borren 10* (7b 1×4) LJ Wright 2-0-18-0

So then. Hope you’re all as glued as I am. Sidebottom’s coming on - and a note from my colleague: Ryan ten Doeschate, who is just about the best Associate batsman, has yet to arrive. England need wickets right about now

11.1

Sidebottom to de Grooth, 1 run, a full toss driven powerfully straight to the sweeper on the deep extra cover boundary

11.2

Sidebottom to Borren, 1 run, wellied around the corner - mistimed; his bottom hand came off the bat

“This could be interesting. It’s getting really dark and the Dutch are ahead on D/L” reminds Martin

11.3

Sidebottom to de Grooth, no run, tries to whack it over Sidebottom but the bowler fields it comfortably. And then attempts to wang it back at his head. Aggression - or, rather, nerves - from Sidebottom

It’s drizzling, ladies and gents…

11.4

Sidebottom to de Grooth, 1 run, driven out to cover for a quick single

Around the wicket

11.5

Sidebottom to Borren, 2 runs, timed that very well, too, lifting it with great audacity and chutzpah over midwicket. Pietersen would’ve been proud of that

11.6

Sidebottom to Borren, 1 run, driven to long-on
End of over 12 (6 runs) Netherlands 105/3 (58 runs required from 48 balls, RR: 8.75, RRR: 7.25)
PW Borren 14* (10b 1×4) RJ Sidebottom 3-0-16-0
TN de Grooth 49* (29b 6×4 1×6) PD Collingwood 1-0-8-0

12.1

Collingwood to Borren, 2 leg byes, half a shout as he’s rapped on the pads, down the leg side - but they pick up two! Really, Sidebottom should have kept it down to one there. Poor stuff from England

12.2

Collingwood to Borren, no run, plays and misses. Had he connected, that was heading onto the Bakerloo Line

12.3

Collingwood to Borren, 2 runs, flicked to leg for a single - but they’re coming back for a second. In comes the throw but Bopara mucks it up quite spectacularly. Wheels. Coming. Off

12.4

Collingwood to Borren, SIX, that’s not six. That’s twelve! A superb pull for six, miles and miles into the stands! What timing

They had to fetch that from inside one of the corporate boxes!

12.5

Collingwood to Borren, 1 run, flicked to leg

12.6

Collingwood to de Grooth, OUT, oh he’s got him now, ending a wonderfully entertaining knock. Tries to work it to leg, but he’s squared up and it’s safely held by Key at mid-off

c Key b Collingwood 49 (39m 30b 6×4 1×6) SR: 163.33
End of over 13 (11 runs) Netherlands 116/4 (47 runs required from 42 balls, RR: 8.92, RRR: 6.71)
PD Collingwood 2-0-17-1
PW Borren 23* (15b 1×4 1×6) RJ Sidebottom 3-0-16-0

Broad’s around the wicket - the tactics he used in the warm-ups

13.1

Broad to Borren, no run, angled across the right-hander who plays and misses

13.2

Broad to Borren, 2 runs, sliced down to third man who makes a good stop. The first run is made comfortably - a bit of a slip on the second, though, and suddenly it’s all rather hectic and calamitous!

13.3

Broad to Borren, 1 run, square-drives this full toss out to the off side

“This chase is easy as pie, if they had an ODI mindset, but they’re playing stupid T20 shots,” notes Travis Basevi, the man behind Statsguru and just about every other section of the site.

13.4

Broad to ten Doeschate, 1 run, fuller delivery on middle-and-leg, nudged to mid-on

13.5

Broad to Borren, 1 wide, ooh and it’s wided. Boos around the ground, but I think that’s fair enough

13.5

Broad to Borren, no run, another wideish delivery, very full too, and he plays and misses

Broad jogs back to his mark quickly

13.6

Broad to Borren, 1 run, steps out to the off side and flips this to short fine leg. Picks him out perfectly!
End of over 14 (6 runs) Netherlands 122/4 (41 runs required from 36 balls, RR: 8.71, RRR: 6.83)
PW Borren 27* (20b 1×4 1×6) SCJ Broad 3-0-26-1
RN ten Doeschate 1* (1b) PD Collingwood 2-0-17-1

“The umpires are really moving fast between overs … they don’t want to get soaked when this hits,” says the boss. Here’s Rashid

14.1

Rashid to Borren, no run, a prodigiously spinning leggie beats the batsman’s hopeful swipe

14.2

Rashid to Borren, 1 run, slog-swept for a single - timed it too well, really

14.3

Rashid to ten Doeschate, no run, comes down the pitch and blocks it with his pad to the leg side

14.4

Rashid to ten Doeschate, FOUR, he’s nailed this. He’s only nailed it! Short and wide from Rashid, he sat back and cut it with tremendous power for four

Rashid’s inexperience is beginning to tell, here

14.5

Rashid to ten Doeschate, no run, good comeback by Rashid, flighting this on leg stump and giving it a big rip

14.6

Rashid to ten Doeschate, 1 run, a scything swipe to deep midwicket
End of over 15 (6 runs) Netherlands 128/4 (35 runs required from 30 balls, RR: 8.53, RRR: 7.00)
RN ten Doeschate 6* (5b 1×4) AU Rashid 3-0-27-1
PW Borren 28* (22b 1×4 1×6) SCJ Broad 3-0-26-1

Anderson’s back with Netherlands needing just 35 from 30. It’s drizzling, too - it’s all happening here!

15.1

Anderson to ten Doeschate, 1 run, driven out to mid-off who makes a brilliant stop. A mix-up between the batsmen - he’ll be run out here if the throw’s accurate. No! It’s a shocker into Foster from Collingwood

15.2

Anderson to Borren, 1 run, outside off, he whips it to deep square leg

15.3

Anderson to ten Doeschate, 1 run, chopped to Key at point - and they get a single with remarkable ease. England … wake up

15.4

Anderson to Borren, 1 run, better delivery - fast and swinging back into the right hander

We can’t show D/L position, I’m afraid - it’s “done” by software which is licensed by the Duckworth and Lewis. I can tell you that Netherlands are miles ahead of the mark

15.5

Anderson to ten Doeschate, 1 run, slammed to cover

It’s absolutely hosing down - no drizzle this time. It’s hammering down! Netherlands are ahead on D/L

15.6

Anderson to Borren, OUT, oops - he goes for a pull but skies it. Huge pressure on Shah … who holds a fine catch and roars his delight! That ought to improve England’s standing as far as Duckworth-Lewis figures go

c Shah b Anderson 30 (32m 25b 1×4 1×6) SR: 120.00
End of over 16 (5 runs) Netherlands 133/5 (30 runs required from 24 balls, RR: 8.31, RRR: 7.50)
JM Anderson 3-0-19-2
RN ten Doeschate 9* (8b 1×4) AU Rashid 3-0-27-1

“That made the catch really good because he was looking into the lights and into the rain,” Martin notes. Top catch. Rashid into the attack - legspinner with a very, very wet ball. Talk about pressure for the young man!

16.1

Rashid to van Bunge, no run, excellent length by Rashid - well bowled. Defended

Netherlands are just ahead … the par score was 128 at the end of the last over and is 136 at the end of this

16.2

Rashid to van Bunge, 1 run, slammed to long-off

16.3

Rashid to ten Doeschate, 3 runs, uppercut past point - Key and Broad give chase, and Key slides like a teenager down a grassy bank. Has he saved it though? It’s desperately tight, this. And he has! Great work

Not what we need, though - a delay as it hammers down

Boos from the Dutch supporters at that decision

16.4

Rashid to van Bunge, FOUR, he goes inside out and throws his bat at it - a thumping, crunching, glorious extra cover drive for four! What tenacity. That could be the game!

16.5

Rashid to van Bunge, 1 run, skips down the pitch and whacks it to mid-on

21 from 19

16.6

Rashid to ten Doeschate, no run, comes down the pitch but Rashid spots him, fires it into his legs

1 for 36 for Rashid. A tough debut for him
End of over 17 (9 runs) Netherlands 142/5 (21 runs required from 18 balls, RR: 8.35, RRR: 7.00)
RN ten Doeschate 12* (10b 1×4) AU Rashid 4-0-36-1
DLS van Bunge 6* (4b 1×4) JM Anderson 3-0-19-2

Martin understands all things Duckworth Lewis better than I. He says: “Right, Netherlands ahead. They need to be 144 at the end of this over assuming they don’t lose a wicket.”

17.1

Anderson to van Bunge, 1 run, bang! More outstanding timing - standing outside off and hammering it, but straight to deep extra cover

17.2

Anderson to ten Doeschate, 1 run, worked to leg

Netherlands have got a wicket to play with. Even if they lose one more wicket, they’ll still be ahead on duckworth-lewis. Yes - I don’t understand either. Just nod and agree with me.

17.3

Anderson to van Bunge, 1 run, down the pitch and he whacks it to leg

17.4

Anderson to ten Doeschate, 1 run, a fast delivery down the leg side, which he flicks to leg

“Aside from a few die-hards, the pavilion is empty. Which is, frankly, disgraceful,” Martin spits. He’s not wrong, you know. This is a corking opening match

Collingwood’s desperately trying to dry the ball. Soaking, sodden wet!

17.5

Anderson to van Bunge, no run, ah, well bowled - a slower ball yorker outside the off stump

At this stage of the innings, wickets have almost no effect on Duckworth Lewis scores. But rest assured, they are not coming off now. It could be a monsoon and they’ll stay out there.

17.6

Anderson to van Bunge, OUT, got him! Wright’s taken a superb catch at deep extra cover, and only just! Stepped outside leg, tried to clear the boundary but Wright was there - and the ball squeezed into the nook of his lower and upper arm! Serious piece of fortune for England

c Wright b Anderson 8 (8m 8b 1×4 0×6) SR: 100.00

Martin: “An audible and collective roar of relief from the crowd as well.”
End of over 18 (4 runs) Netherlands 146/6 (17 runs required from 12 balls, RR: 8.11, RRR: 8.50)
JM Anderson 4-0-23-3
RN ten Doeschate 14* (12b 1×4) AU Rashid 4-0-36-1

Right. 17 from 12. Good grief this is sheer madness.

18.1

Sidebottom to Schiferli, no run, driven hard to mid-off - short mid-off, in fact. Good thinking by England

18.2

Sidebottom to Schiferli, 1 leg bye, off his legs - short midwicket has all three stumps to aim at. And misses! They so rarely hit the stums, England - it’s remarkable

16 from 10. My money’s on Netherlands. Black, black sky above us

18.3

Sidebottom to ten Doeschate, FOUR, full toss, slices this powerfully over extra cover - Morgan flies like Superman but drops it while airborne, parrying it over the rope! Four more to Netherlands!

12 from 9 balls

18.4

Sidebottom to ten Doeschate, 1 run, drives inside out, over mid-off to long-off - just a single

Two more balls to go. 11 from 8. You can see it in their eyes: Netherlands are totally and utterly up for this. They believe they can…and I believe they probably will, too. England need something special

18.5

Sidebottom to Schiferli, 2 leg byes, rapped on the pads, the ball somehow finds its way to third man. Two more for Netherlands. Everything’s going their way

Right. Last ball of the over. Netherlands need at least two, ideally four. England need a wicket

18.6

Sidebottom to Schiferli, 2 runs, a waist-high full toss, slapped with tennis-style boshing past cover
End of over 19 (10 runs) Netherlands 156/6 (7 runs required from 6 balls, RR: 8.21, RRR: 7.00)
E Schiferli 2* (4b) RJ Sidebottom 4-0-23-0
RN ten Doeschate 19* (14b 2×4) JM Anderson 4-0-23-3

England cannot just protect runs - they must aim for wickets.

Well, what an opening match we’ve had, ladies and gents. It’s all coming down to the last over. Seven to win for Netherlands! Who’d have predicted this? Not I, sir. Collingwood’s chatting to Broad and Anderson, and it’ll be Broad going around the wicket

19.1

Broad to ten Doeschate, 1 run, cracked out to the off side, Broad fields and should run him out - but misses! That’s the fourth run-out opportunity they’ve missed tonight alone

6 from 5

They’re going to run whatever happens

19.2

Broad to Schiferli, 1 run, tries to smack it out to cover but can’t time it. Broad fields and does a Jonty Rhodes, diving onto the stumps. But as his right hand (holding the ball) hits the turf, he releases the ball - it’s his hand which smashes the bails! Not out

Boos around the ground, but I’m afraid that’s the right decision. Anyway - move on. Here we go, chaps. 5 runs from 4 balls

19.3

Broad to ten Doeschate, 1 run, Broad’s dropped a wellied smash to a full toss! High above his head and it took a while to reach him

This is unbelievably, sickeningly tense. 4 from 3

19.4

Broad to Schiferli, 1 bye, he plays and misses, the ball flies through to keeper who is standing back - and they run a bye!

Schiferli injured himself during that run-out attempt with Broad. Damaged shoulder, by the looks of it. This is as mad as a box of frogs

19.5

Broad to ten Doeschate, 1 run, another smash, but he picks out mid-on! Only a single. Good grief, this is so tense

Broad around the wicket. Remember: 2 needed from 1

Just two runs needed … off one ball! Hundreds of emails flying in - no time to read them I’m afraid, but thanks anyway. Foster’s going to stand up to the stumps and Anderson’s giving Broad advice. Foster’s actually going back now.

19.6

Broad to Schiferli, 2 runs, goes for a club, Broad again fields - they run, and Broad has all three stumps as he collects it in his follow through. But he misses, and they run an overthrow. They’re through and Netherlands have scored a brilliantly, outstanding upset here for the first match at Lord’s!

Tom de Grooth was named Man-of-the-Match, and that just about wraps up our coverage. If you’ve missed anything, check the full scorecard and the bulletin. I’m Will Luke and I desperately need a lie down. Join us tomorrow for more live coverage of the World Twenty20. Until then, let’s bask in wonder at the great game of cricket - goodnight.

Jeroen Smits: “No. It’s unbelievable. This is something special. I think I can sleep well tonight. After the first ten overs we fought back quite well. We thought we were in control [of the chase] from the start, so we felt we were in control. We did well. I’m sure [we'll party tonight].”

Paul Collingwood: “Give Holland a lot of credit. They knocked off a total that we thought was enough. They played exceptionally well; we expected to win but they put a major performance in. I still think we could have defended a total like that, but unfortunately they were better on the day.”

What an incredible win and match. England are devastated. “A roar of delight in the usually passive press box!” Martin notes. Netherlands’ bowling was the first indication that they were up for this match, restricting England to just 73 in their last ten overs. It was simply not enough for England, and Netherlands’ batsmen went hell for leather with the bat. To a man the Dutch head off to the Mound Stand to acknowledge their fans - what a moment this is for Netherlands, indeed for Associate cricket as a whole. Minnows they may be, but for now they can bask in their status as giant killers. As my colleague Travis Basevi says, “England are facing elimination from the tournament within 2 days of it beginning. Makes the 99 World Cup look like an unmitigated success.” Ryan ten Doeschate played with great calmness and tenacity, but Tom de Grooth really impressed, playing with such audacity that England were left looking a little clueless. And England simply crumbled under pressure; their fielding, in particular, was not up to scratch and they missed at least four run-out chances. Netherlands deserve this win - maybe the tournament does, too. What a start we’ve had!
End of over 20 (7 runs) Netherlands 163/6 (RR: 8.15)
E Schiferli 5* (7b) SCJ Broad 4-0-32-1
RN ten Doeschate 22* (17b 2×4) RJ Sidebottom 4-0-23-0

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