The Netherlands’ victory over the formidable English squad in the 2009 T20 World Cup opening is likely to rank on the higher side of surprise cricket events. The men in orange outperformed the hosts in the last-ball drama on June 5 in front of a packed house at the Lord’s in London, despite the majority (if not all) analysts predicting it to be a one-sided affair in England’s favour.
The Netherlands requested that England bat first after winning the toss. England’s opening duo of Luke Wright and Ravi Bopara established a strong platform by settling in well on the 22-yard track. The pair put together a partnership of almost 100 runs when Bopara was forced to leave in the 12th over, just 4 runs short of reaching his fifty.
For the English middle order, it was just a come-and-go scenario at that point. Big names like Paul Collingwood and Eoin Morgan were unable to take advantage of the start that the openers offered. No batter was able to score 20 runs. Wright led the innings with 71 runs off 46 deliveries and was the only player to remain at the crease. England scored 162 runs in 20 overs against the orange army. To keep them to a respectable total for the Dutch, Ryan ten Doeschate took two crucial wickets of in-form Bopara and Wright.
Stuart Broad’s over-throw in the final ball was the game-defining error
Kervezee, one of Netherlands’ openers, was out in the first over in their run chase. Following the early setback, it appeared like the Dutch were losing control of the game as the James Anderson-led bowling unit began to regularly take wickets. Even though England controlled the majority of the match, Tom de Grooth and Peter Borren produced some stunning middle-order shots that nearly cost the English men the match. Grooth had the game’s highest total with a 30-ball 49, and Borren made 30 off 25 shots.
In the final over, Stuart Broad was summoned into the attack with seven runs to defend. Even though Doeschate and Edgar Schiferli were unable to clear the rope, they calmly guided the innings. Schiferli sent the final ball towards Broad with two runs needed, but the right-arm seamer made the game-defining error by throwing up an overthrow. The team finished the task with success, and the Netherlands created fresh history in the cricket capital. The hosts were in no position to benefit from Anderson’s three-wicket haul. Tom de Grooth was acknowledged as the Man of the Match for his crucial role.