Batting blitz puts Dutch on top

After Nicol Loftie-Eaton’s world record century against Nepal on Tuesday, Namibia were on the receiving end yesterday when they suffered a 59-run defeat to The Netherlands in Kirtipur.

This time it was Dutch opener Michael Levitt who stole the show with a brilliant century as they racked up a huge 247/5 before restricting Namibia to 188/7.

The Dutch lost Max O’Dowd early on, dismissed by Ruben Trumpelmann for five, but Sybrand Engelbrecht joined Levitt and put The Netherlands in charge with a great partnership. 

Levitt brought up his century off 49 balls and when he was eventually dismissed by Jan Frylinck 13 balls later for 135 (11×4,10×6), they had put on 193 runs for the second wicket at more than 13 runs an over. 

Scott Edwards (4) went cheaply, but Teja Nidamanuru clubbed Trumpelmann for three consecutive sixes before being run out for 18, while Engelbrecht continued his onslaught with 75 off 40 balls (7×4, 5×6) as they set Namibia a massive victory target. 

Trumpelmann was Namibia’s most successful bowler taking 2/46, while Frylinck and Ben Shikongo each picked up one wicket. 

In reply, Namibia lost the wickets of Michael van Lingen (7) and Malan Kruger (3) early on and they couldn’t recover. 

JJ Smit added 19 and JP Kotze 26, and when dangerman Loftie-Eaton was out for 11 with the total at 98/5 midway through their innings, their chances were effectively over. 

Frylinck gave Namibia hope with a spirited knock of 42 off 27 balls (3×4, 2×6), while Zane Green added 42 not out off 20 balls (4×4, 3×6), but they never came close and eventually fell 59 runs short of the target. 

Timm van der Gugten took 2/26 for the Dutch. 

The result puts The Netherlands at the top of the T20 tri-nations series on four points from two matches, followed by Namibia on two points and Nepal on zero.

Nepal, however, have a better run aggregate than Namibia, who will have to beat the hosts in their encounter today if they hope to reach the final.