Fri, 18 Mar 2011 - Ireland vs Netherlands, World Cup 2011, 37th match Group B - Preview

For the fans and many cricket analysts Friday encounter between the two teams might be a dead rubber as both teams have lost the race to make it into the knockout stages but it has its own significance for the teams.

These two European sides will be keen to outwit each other to assert themselves in the league of Associate Nations. There will be lots of emotions which makes this encounter a special between the two neighbors.

While Ireland have been the best side amongst the Associate Nations participating in the tournament and have added up to their fan base after every outing, Netherlands have shown brilliance in the patches and are only team in the group B that is yet to win the game.

Dutch would be keen to set the record straight and leave India with a win under their belt. The main problem with the Dutch side is that there are too reliant on certain players and as what has turned out as the tournament has progressed haven’t got support from rest of the team.

If they have to harbor any chances of staging an upset, they need string more than one good performance and put Ireland under some pressure.

All said and done, it will be Ireland that will start as hot favourites for the clash as they have displayed a great character and attitude to put up a healthy fight against top teams. Their most cherishable moment came when they stunned England by chasing a big target of 328 runs impressing one and all thanks to their never say die attitude.

This Irish side has more experience and depth for most of their players feature in English County and has an edge over Netherlands.

Ireland

Over the course of the tournament, one thing has turned out to be a surety that Ireland know how to give everything on the field. Unlike other weaker teams, Ireland take the cricket field with winning the game in their minds rather than making up the numbers.

Make no mistake; there won’t be an iota of complacency on Ireland’s part and would be keen to boss the game right throughout to add to their ever growing reputation in the world cup.

However, there are some areas where Irish would like improve on and focus would be on how top four perform as runs haven’t come consistently from the top order.

Kevin Pollard who played the best and fastest innings of the tournament so far hasn’t looked the same player after that knock against England and by the look of way he is playing it seems pressure to perform has got into his psyche.

In bowling fast bowlers have been steady and impressive left arm spinner George Dockrell hasn’t done any harm to his credentials as he continues to swell up the number of his takers by performing in each and every game.

Squad

William Porterfield (Capt), Albert Vander Merwe, Alex Cusack, Ed Joyce, George Dockrell, Kevin O’ Brien, Boyd Rankin, John Mooney, Paul Stirling, Trent Johnston, Andre Botha, Andrew White, Nigel Jones, Gary Wilson, Niall O’Brien

Coach:Phil Simmons

Netherlands

Needless to say that Netherlands are too much relying on their star all-rounder Ten Doeschate as other haven’t raised their game to another level barring South Australian import Tom Cooper and left arm spinner Peter Seelar.

With lot to play for and pride on stake, Dutch players should be inspired to put up a brave front against their rivals and give a good account of themselves.

Openers need to give a solid start to make life easy for Doeschate and Cooper and help them in posting a respectable score on the board.

There is no denying the fact that Dutch are short on fast bowling resources as most of their bowlers are military medium lacking penetration and unable to control the opponent batsmen.

There will be a mini-battle between the two players as Dutch left arm spinner peter Seelar would be keen to overpower his counterpart Dockrell in this game.

Squad

Peter Borren (Capt), Adeel Raja, Tom Cooper, Ten Doeschate, Alex Kerveeze, Eric Scwarczyncki, Tom de Grooth, Bas Zuiderent, Bernard Loots, Bradley Kruger, Muddasir Bukhari, Peter Seeilar, Berend Westjidk, Atse Buurmen, Wesley Barreesi .

Coach:Peter Drinen