Marco Jansen celebrates a wicket with Proteas teammates during their match against Netherlands on Tuesday. Picture: Pankaj Nangia/Gallo Images
South Africa’s bowling attack lost early control against the Netherlands on Tuesday, with Dutch captain Scott Edwards leading an impressive comeback in their Cricket World Cup match in Dharamshala.
The start of the fixture at HPCA Stadium was delayed by two hours due to rain, which reduced the game to 43 overs a side.
After sending the Netherlands in to bat, the Proteas’ frontline bowlers took control, strangling the top order and preventing them from gaining any momentum.
Hoping to cause an upset in search of their first victory of the tournament, the Netherlands just couldn’t get going and were left reeling at 50/4 in the 16th over.
The Dutch side’s middle-order managed to stabilise their innings, however, with Edwards contributing 78 not out, carrying his team over the line as they made 245/8.
The Proteas attack, which had two decisions overturned after successful reviews for the second match in a row, were again spearheaded by fast bowlers Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi and Marco Jansen, who took two wickets each.
Jansen was particularly miserly, giving away just 27 runs from his eight overs with the ball.
After putting in the hard yards with the new ball, however, they lost their grip on the innings as Edwards laid the foundation for a comeback from the Netherlands.
The Proteas, targeting their third straight victory at the World Cup, will be chasing 246 runs to win.
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