Watch: Netherlands fielder’s spectacular fielding effort against South Africa in 20-20 World Cup 2022
Roelof van der Merve (Image Credit: Twitter)
The recently concluded Super 12 game between South Africa and vs Netherlands was expected to be an easy ride for the Proteas. However, as it turns out, no team can be underestimated in the ongoing 20-20 World Cup 2022. From the first day of the ongoing tournament, it has thrown plenty of surprises. In the recently concluded game, the Dutch showed what they are capable of on their given day.
In the game, the Green Brigade was sailing well while chasing a moderate target of 159. At one stage, the team scored 112/4 and was looking set to qualify for the playoffs. The likes of David Miller and Heinrich Klassen were batting at the crease. Brandon Glover took the wicket of Miller. Notably, he was assisted by a brilliant fielding effort from Roelof van der Merve at short fine leg.
Watch the video here
Turning point of game. What a catch by Van der merwe. Stay blessed. Protease out of the tournament.#SAvNED#Unbelievable pic.twitter.com/iyNIvOszuT
— Mian Umair (@MianUmairg) November 6, 2022
The dismissal turned out to be a turning point in the game. After losing Miller, the team kept losing wickets at regular intervals. This meant that the batters couldn’t keep up with the required run rate and kept creeping up. In the last over, they had three wickets in hand with injured Keshav Maharaj and Kagiso Rabada batting at the crease.
They failed to score 26 runs off the last over, bowled by Bas de Leede. With this loss, South Africa crashed out of the semis race as they have only five points to their name. Also, the European have partly assured their direct qualification in the 2024 20-20 World Cup. To fully achieve that, they need Pakistan to beat Bangladesh in their ongoing Super 12 game. In this game, the Bangladesh Tigers won the toss and elected to bat first.
Meanwhile, after the win against the Proteas, their skipper Scott Edwards said “Lost for words! It’s going to take a bit of time… we are sort of used to those conditions. It’s definitely up there – another big upset for the Netherlands in a World Cup! We were still playing for a spot in the next World Cup.”
