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Revitalised Australia aims for dominance against resilient Netherlands in World Cup clash

In a captivating World Cup encounter, Australia seeks to maintain its resurgence, while the Netherlands aims to continue its run of upsets, making this a game filled with uncertainty

Our Web Desk Published 25.10.23, 12:37 PM
ustralia's David Warner plays a shot during the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 match between Australia and Netherlands at the Arun Jaitley Stadium

ustralia's David Warner plays a shot during the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 match between Australia and Netherlands at the Arun Jaitley Stadium PTI

  • Adam Zampa takes the wicket of Logan Van Beek and Roelof van der Merwe, Netherlands is at 86/8 after 19 overs
  • Mitchell Marsh takes the wicket of Teja Nidamanuru, Netherlands is at 85/6 after 18 overs
  • Mitchell Marsh takes the wicket of Sybrand Engelbrecht, Netherlands is at 68/5 after 14 overs
  • Skipper Pat Cummins takes the wicket of Bas de Leede, Netherlands is at 53/4 after 11 overs
  • Josh Hazlewood takes the wicket of Colin Ackermann, Netherlands is at 48/3 after 10 overs
  • Vikramjit Singh is run out by Glenn Maxwell, Netherlands is at 37/2 after six overs
  • Mitchell Starc takes the wicket of Max ODowd, Netherlands is at 33/1 after five overs
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  • Australia end their innings, score 399 after 50 overs
  • Logan Van Beek takes the wicket of Mitchell Starc
  • Logan Van Beek takes the wicket of Glenn Maxwell
  • Glenn Maxwell scores 101 in 40 balls, Australia is at 389/6 after 49 overs
  • Glenn Maxwell scores 54 in 27 balls, Australia is at 340/6 after 47 overs
  • Cameron Green is run out by Sybrand Engelbrecht, Australia is at 297/6 after 43 overs
  • Logan Van Beek takes the wicket of David Warner, Australia is at 268/5 after 40 overs
  • Bas de Leede takes the wicket of Josh Inglis, Australia is at 266/4 after 39 overs
  • David Warner scores 103 in 91 balls
  • Bas de Leede takes the wicket of Marnus Labuschagne, Australia is at 249/3 after 37 overs
  • Marnus Labuschagne scores 50 in 42 balls, Australia is at 231/2 after 35 overs
  • Australia is at 228/2 after 34 overs
  • Aryan Dutt takes the wicket of Steve Smith, Australia is at 162/2 after 24 overs
  • Steve Smith scores 50 in 53 balls, Australia is at 124/1 after 20 overs
  • David Warner scores 50 in 40 balls, Australia is at 115/1 after 18 overs
  • Australia is at 66/1 after 10 overs
  • Logan Van Beek takes the wicket of Mitchell Marsh, Australia is at 29/1 after four overs
  • Australia skipper Pat Cummins won the toss and opted to bat against Netherlands
  • Australia have made one change with Cameron Green replacing Marcus Stoinis
  • Netherlands are unchanged

Teams

Australia: Pat Cummins(c), David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Steven Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis(w), Glenn Maxwell, Cameron Green, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Adam Zampa

Netherlands: Scott Edwards(w/c), Vikramjit Singh, Max ODowd, Colin Ackermann, Bas de Leede, Teja Nidamanuru, Sybrand Engelbrecht, Logan van Beek, Roelof van der Merwe, Aryan Dutt and Paul van Meekeren

Bolstered by the revival of their batting firepower, a rejuvenated Australia will look for another dominating show but need to be cautious when they face a tenacious Netherlands in their next World Cup match here on Wednesday.

After a disappointing start to their campaign, the five-time champions turned it around with two solid performances against Sri Lanka and Pakistan but they know very well that they can ill-afford to take the Dutch lightly in what is turning out to be a World Cup of upsets.

The Netherlands have been one of the success stories of this showpiece event as they stunned an in-form South Africa at Dharamsala after returning to the World Cup following a 12-year hiatus. They will look to take a cue from Afghanistan's win over Pakistan to keep their story alive.

However, it will be easier said than done, especially after the marauding show of the Aussies against Pakistan.

The reasons behind the turnaround include their top-order batting might, the return to form of spinner Adam Zampa and the consistent performances of pacers Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc.

The return to form of David Warner and Mitchell Marsh is good news for Australia as they can blow away any opponent with their sheer ruthless batting. A case in point is the 259-run opening partnership that the two shared against Pakistan.

Marsh has scored 351 runs at a strike rate of 108.3 in seven innings as an opener, grabbing the opportunity with both hands in place of an injured Travis Head, while the ever-dependable Warner has looked in ominous touch.

But Australia will need to add firepower in their middle order, especially with Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne struggling at the moment.

While Smith has crossed the 30-mark only once in his last four innings, Labuschagne has fared slightly better though he is yet to score a half-century in the tournament and has a low strike rate of 64.70.

With Head nearing his full fitness, the Delhi game could be a final test for Smith and Labuschagne to prove themselves as another failure might see one of them lose their place to the returning Head, who also provides the team with a handy off-spin option.

Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoins haven't exactly set things on fire with the bat but wicketkeeper batter Josh Inglis has been among the runs with two crucial fifties.

In bowling, Hazlewood has been successful in keeping things tight, Zampa strangled the middle order and returned with two four-wicket hauls in the last two matches which went a long way in getting the team back to winning ways.

Starc though continued his dream run of taking wickets in all World Cup matches and would fancy his chances after taking a hat-trick in their rain-hit abandoned warm-up game against the Dutch. But skipper Pat Cummins need to do more to lead from the front and produce those breakthroughs.

Spin will come into play at the Feroz Shah Kotla track, where Afghanistan tweakers dismantled England the other day and Australia will hope Maxwell provides Zampa with the support at the other end.

The Dutch, on the other hand, have never beaten Australia in ODIs. They lost the two times they met way back in 2003 and 2007.

But the Orange Brigade as shown what they are capable of in the run-up to the World Cup and also during their sensational win over South Africa and a narrow loss to Sri Lanka in the last match.

Armed with a gang of steady all-rounders, the Netherlands have shown they are capable of winning but to have a consistent run they will need better execution, especially from the top-order and the bowling department.

While the likes of opener Max ODowd and Vikramjit Singh haven't been able to give them a good start, the Netherlands have found someone or the other to take them to 200-plus scores in the tournament.

But they have bowled too many boundary balls and also floundered in the fielding department to undo their good work.

Bas de Leede, Aryan Dutt and PA van Meekeren have done most damage with the ball but will need support from others and better execution to tame their opposition.

All eyes will also be on the deteriorating air quality of the national capital, which has been a concern during an international fixture in the past.

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