Thaindian News

Nagpur, Feb 22 (IANS) Ryan ten Doeschate struck a blistering 119 off 110 balls as the Netherlands set a stiff 293-run target for England in their World Cup Group B match here Tuesday.Electing to bat on a placid track, the Netherlands piled on their highest total against a full-member nation and bettered their 230 against England at the 1996 World Cup.

The England bowling looked clueless and their sloppy fielding did not help their cause either. Graeme Swann was the best bowler for England with his two wickets for 35.

Alexie Kervezee (16) and wicket-keeper Wesley Barresi (29) gave the Netherlands a breezy start in their 36-run opening stand but the day belonged to Doeschate, who came in the 12th over.

Doeschate controlled the Netherlands innings and batted till the 49th over. He was involved in three crucial partnerships - of 78 runs with Tom Cooper (47) for the third wicket, and later with Tom de Grooth (28) and skipper Peter Borren for the fifth (64) and sixth (50) wickets.

Doeschate’s was given a life at 47. A loft off Swann landed in a no-man’s land behind the bowler with James Anderson and Pietersen standing frozen as the ball fell in between them.

Doeschate’s spirited knock was brought to an end by Stuart Broad when he was caught by Ravi Bopara at the square leg boundary. Doeschate’s knock included nine fours and three sixes.

Borren and Mudassar Bukhari (6) added unbeaten 18 runs for seventh wicket. In a dramatic final over, Borren was lucky to survive when Paul Collingwood at midwicket failed to take his required position inside the fielding circle. A no-ball was signalled, Borren was recalled and then Swann dropped a sitter at third man to give Bukhari a life.