LIVE match preview, West Indies vs. Netherlands - ICC World Cup 2011
On paper, today’s match between http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Netherlands-c753 seems like an uninteresting and straightforward affair. The results of matches involving minnows so far in the tournament will suggest nothing different. Not a huge turnout is expected at Feroz
Shah Kotla stadium in http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Delhi-c780 but the game promises to be quite an entertainer for those who do show up. Both the teams lost their openings matches and have much to prove and everything to play for in their second Group B clash.
A possible upset by Netherlands?
The World Cup has not witnessed an upset so far but today’s game might change that. The Dutch came strikingly close to upstaging the English team in the first match, which must have done a lot to boost up their confidence. The West Indies were quite ordinary
in their effort against the Proteas as they failed to make an impact in the tournament opener. The loss of their premium all-rounder, Dwayne Bravo, is another blow to their World Cup campaign. The Oranje Brigade will be determined to exploit the weaknesses
in the opposite camp and pull off their first win against a major team. Despite their problems, the Windies will know this is one match that everyone expects them to win but a potent Dutch threat looming over their heads can prove to be overwhelming given
they are too complacent on the day.
Key Players Chris Gayle, Darren Bravo, Ryan ten Doeschates
The West Indies team relies heavily on the batting exploits of their star batsman, Chris Gayle. He failed to click in the first game but whenever he gets his bearing right his team ends up getting a big score. Darren Bravo is a class act and his performance
with the bat can be a telling difference between the two sides.
The Netherlands appear to be a modest side but they possess some potential match winners in their ranks. Ryan ten Doeschate has a career average 71.21 and is the main stay of their batting line-up. His brilliant century against England almost resulted in
a famous win for the minnows. Doeschate’s skills as a bowler are equally useful and a resource the Dutch will depend on a lot.
http://www.espncricinfo.com/icc_cricket_worldcup2011/content/player/214695.html is another batsman capable of making significant contributions at the top of the order.
Playing XI’s (Probable)
Netherlands: Alexei Kervezee, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Cooper-c51561, Ryan ten Doeschate, Bas Zuiderent, Tom de Grooth, Peter Borren (Capt), Mudassar Bukhari, Pieter Seelaar, Bernard Loots, Berend Westdijk .
West Indies: Chris Gayle, Devon Smith, Darren Bravo, Ramnaresh Sarwan, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Benn-c47745, Nikita Miller, Kemar Roach.
Final Word
The Windies have insisted that they have enough firepower to make up for Bravo’s loss and register their first win in the competition. Beating the minnows will not of course put an end to the skepticism that surrounds the team these
days but it will be a step in the right direction.
The Dutch team proved with the first match that they are a team on the rise, capable of giving any senior team a run for their money. This will be a litmus test of their ability to perform consistently at the top level. A miraculous
victory against the struggling West Indies will make them a strong contender for making the Quarterfinals.
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