Fresh from their stunning win over South Africa, the Netherlands will have the golden opportunity to pick up another victory when they face a winless Sri Lanka on Saturday.
The Dutch shocked the Proteas in Dharamsala to record their maiden ODI win against a Test-playing nation. With Sri Lanka’s bowling attack in tatters, the men in orange will back themselves for a favourable result.
But it is also a fact that the Netherlands’ batting hasn’t been very convincing in the World Cup so far. Captain Scott Edwards bailed the team out in the last game with a bit of help from the lower order, but the top-order batters haven’t clicked yet, thereby increasing the pressure on the middle.
The top three of Vikramjit Singh, Max O’Dowd and Colin Ackermann have not been able to get the team off to a good start. They will have a good chance to hit form against a depleted Lankan attack, who are missing many of their first-choice bowlers due to injuries.
The Dutch have bowled well though, standing up to top batters. They will face a strong test from the Lankans, who have surprisingly looked quite good with the bat. They posted 300-plus totals in their opening two contests.
The Lucknow wicket has so far seen the team batting first having an advantage, as the ball has been moving under the lights. The Dutch will expect a lot from Roelof van der Merwe, whose orthodox spin bowling can come in handy on this wicket.
The head-to-head record of the teams will obviously keep the Lankans ahead. They have never lost to the Netherlands in ODIs, their most recent success coming in the World Cup qualifiers earlier this year.
But on the confidence meter, the Dutch will surely be on top of the Sri Lankans.
