Cricket: O’Dowd’s 92 and bowlers set up dominant Dutch win

Brief scores: The Netherlands 172-1 (O’Dowd 92*, Edwards 48*, Bradley 1-28) beat Guernsey 99-9 (Bradley 26, Levitt 3-11, Zulfiqar 2-16) by 73 runs

The Netherlands asserted their dominance over an already eliminated Guernsey side with a 73-run win to keep their T20 World Cup qualification hopes alive.

Opening batter Max O’Dowd strummed off an unbeaten 92 off 57 deliveries to set a target of 173 before the bowlers combined to restrict Guernsey to a modest 99-9.

O’Dowd was typically strong on the pull and through the covers in lacing eleven fours and a six and was instrumental in putting on a 116-run partnership with captain Scott Edwards, who himself scored an unbeaten 48 off 40 balls having come in at No. 3.

Guernsey bowled well in parts but looked largely toothless with only the wicket of Michael Levitt (25) to show for their efforts.

They were no better with the bat, hitting only seven boundaries, with only four batters managing a double-digit score. All-rounder Martin-Dale Bradley produced their solitary wicket with the ball and later top-scored with 26.

Edwards cycled through eight bowling options with the returning leg-spinner Saqib Zulfiqar tidy in his spell of two for 16. Levitt got stuck into Guernsey’s tail picking three wickets for 11.

But fast bowler Paul van Meekeren’s return, after a period of recovery from a delivery hitting his ribcage in Scotland last month, was notable. His figures of 1-31 were the most expensive of all Dutch bowlers but game time was more crucial.

Qualification scenarios

Earlier in the day, Scotland were stunned by Italy in a 12-run loss as the Azzurri boosted their chances of a maiden World Cup appearance.

Heading into the final day on Friday, all four teams in action have a chance to secure the two spots for the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka in February next year.

Italy, with five points, have a foot in the door, but will look to down the Netherlands to win the Qualifier outright. Even a loss could ensure qualification with their superior net run-rate of +1.722 needing some effort to be overhauled.

The morning clash will see Scotland and Jersey take on each other in the knowledge that only one of them can finish on five points and must win by a big margin.

Should Italy lose to the Netherlands, there will be a two-way tie between them and one of Scotland or Jersey with a shootout on the basis of net run-rate. Jersey are better placed at +0.430 but Scotland will need to win by at least 75 runs having a negative 0.150.

Win or bust for the Netherlands

The Dutch have their destiny in their own hands and face a straightforward equation: they must beat Italy to secure their spot. Should they lose, Italy and one of Scotland or Jersey will qualify.

“Associate cricket is these sort of games where you play one-off fixtures to make World Cups or to get through the next round,” Edwards said after the game.

“We are well accustomed to them and if we play well enough and win on Friday, we get the opportunity. If not, then we obviously won’t make it.”

Scotland take on Jersey at 11am CEST while the Netherlands will play Italy at 4pm. Entry to matches at Voorburg is free and can be live-streamed on ICC.tv.