New Zealand beat Netherlands by 99 runs at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad on Monday (October 9). Batting first, New Zealand posted 322/7 before bowling out the Dutch for 223. Mitchell Santner was the star for the Blackcaps, shining both with the bat and ball. It was his 36 off 17 balls that first ensured the Kiwis get a strong finish to their innings before he returned to take a fifer, eventually finishing with figures of 5/59.
This is New Zealand's second successive win at this World Cup, post a win over defending champions England in their World Cup opener. On the other hand, the Dutch lost their second game in a row after a defeat to Pakistan in their World Cup opener. Other than Santner's invaluable contribution lower down the order, the Kane Williamson-less side was helped with half-centuries from Will Young 70 off 80, Rachin Ravindra 51 off 51, Tom Latham 53 off 46 and a 48 from 47 from Daryl Mitchell.
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For the Men in Orange, Paul van Meekeren, Roelof van der Merwe and Aryan Dutt picked two wickets apiece while Bas de Leede picked 1 for 64 but that wasn't enough to stop the Kiwis from going past the 300-run mark on a wicket that wasn't a belter of a surface. In their run-chase, Colin Ackermann top-scored with 69 off 73 deliveries but only three other batters crossed the 20-run mark which was never going to be enough.
With the pressure of asking rate and losing wicket, Santner's street-smartness became his biggest strength as he bowled it slow and wide and several of the batters got out while trying to go for the big shot against a bowler who just wouldn't faulter with his line and length. Ravindra too picked up a wicket as his dream run in the tournament continued. Matt Henry was the other wicket-taker for New Zealand and ended up with figures of 3/40.