The Chevrons trounced the Netherlands by a comfortable seven wickets in the third one-day international clinching a 2-1 series win. The Chevrons came from a game down as they put on a fervent and spirited comeback to yet another white-ball series victory following T20 success over Ireland.
ASHLEY DUBE
In the third one-day match the Dutch won the toss and chose to bowl first and they had a steady start courtesy of openers Max O’Dowd and Vikram Singh who put on 67 runs for the first wicket before O’Dowd was caught at mid-on off the bowling of Blessing Muzarabani.
From there on the spinning quartet of Wessly Madhevere, Sikandar Raza, Sean Williams and Brandon Mavuta put the Dutch batters on a tight leash as they slowed down the scoring rate. The wickets followed with six off the nine wickets taken coming from the spinners.
Sean Williams was the pick of the bowlers finishing with figures of 3-41 from his ten over quota as Netherlands were restricted to 231. The Zimbabwe batsmen completed the chase comfortably in 42 overs.
The tone was set by the openers, Wessly Madhevere and Craig Ervine who put on 96 on the board before Ervine was caught out of the bowling of Shariz Ahmed six short of another half-ton. Wessly managed to get his fifty before he skied one to cover.
Gary Ballance and Sean Williams added 93 runs for the third wicket in what was almost a chanceless partnership before Sean Williams chopped one onto his stumps off the bowling of Fred Klassen seven short of his fifty.
Ballance on the other hand stayed resolute getting his fifty and finishing unbeaten on 64.
Sikandar Raza added gloss to the run chase with some lusty blows in his brief cameo at the crease including a boundary to win the match.
He was unbeaten on 18 off 9 balls. Sean Williams was named of the match after a fantastic match.
The first two contests provided some thrilling and heart racing cricket. The Dutch left it to the last ball of the innings to secure a hard fought three wicket win over the hosts. Chasing 250 looked in a danger at 110 for 6 before Teja Nidamuru accelerated getting a hundred in the process as he closed a stunning run chase.
Zimbabwe fought back well to put on 249 on the board, as they 98-7 after twenty overs following a top order collapse.
The recovery act was led by Clive Madande (74) who got his maiden international fifty as well as support from the lower order batters Wellington Masakadza who got 34 and Richard Ngarava who blasted his way to a quick-fire 36.
Clive Madande got back to back fifties with as he combined to a magnificent century stand with returning Sean Williams who was caught out at 77.
Shariz Ahmad got a fifer as he pierced through the Chevrons with some brilliant leg spin as Zimbabwe were bowled out for 271. It proved enough as the Chevrons held own for a one run victory.
The Dutch looked on course for a successful chase before they were rocked by a hat-trick by Wessly Madhevere which sent the crowd into a frenzy and swung the match back into Zimbabwe’s favour. Coupled with Raza at the other end who also got three wickets the pair were pivotal in Zimbabwe’s defence.
Madhevere’s hat-trick was the third by a Zimbabwean bowler after Prosper Utseya and Eddo Brandes.
Sean Williams was named Player of the Match in the third ODI, and on the overall he was also named the Player of the Series.
The latest ODI Series win was a positive statement of intent as Zimbabwe's cricket has been on a rebound following years of disappointing results. Such positive news portends good fortunes for Zimbabwe Cricket; thus contributing significantly to the grassroots popularity of the game.
The latest win is also good for Zimbabwe's standing in the ICC Super League.
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