ICC World Cup Qualifiers: West Indies to take on the Netherlands in the 18th group-stage encounter. Both teams have qualified for the next round, but they would like to conclude the group-stage with a win, as points are carried forward to the super six. The match will be held on June 26 at Takashinga Sports Club, Harare. The West Indies had a remarkable beginning to the tournament, emerging victorious in their first two group-stage fixtures against USA and Nepal. However, they couldn’t sustain their dream run, succumbing to a 35-run defeat to a spirited Zimbabwean outfit on Saturday. On the contrary, the Netherlands kickstarted their campaign with a heavy six-wicket defeat to Zimbabwe but bounced back commendably, recording clinical victories over USA and Nepal in the subsequent fixtures.
Match Preview: The wicket will be dried up, eventually becoming a batters’ paradise. So, the toss-winner should ideally opt to bowl first here. West Indies: Brandon King, Kyle Mayers, Johnson Charles, Shai Hope (C/WK), Nicholas Pooran, Roston Chase, Rovman Powell, Jason Holder, Keemo Paul, Alzarri Joseph, Akeal Hosein Netherlands: Max O’Dowd, Vikramjit Singh, Wesley Barresi, Bas de Leede, Teja Nidamanuru, Scott Edwards (C/ WK), Ryan Klein, Logan van Beek, Shariz Ahmad, Aryan Dutt, Clayton Floyd. Although the Netherlands are expected to give a tough fight to West Indies, Shai Hope and co. are too good a side and will likely emerge victorious in this match.
In other cricket news, veteran Indian batters Cheteshwar Pujara and Suryakumar Yadav have been drafted into the West Zone red-ball squad ahead of the upcoming Duleep Trophy. Aakash Chopra questioned BCCI’s decision to exclude Cheteshwar Pujara from the Indian squad for the West Indies tour. Australian No.3 batsman Marnus Labuschagne sent an injury scare through the tourists camp ahead of the 2nd Ashes Test at Lord’s after he copped a painful blow on his finger during a net-session.
Keywords: ICC World Cup Qualifiers, West Indies, Netherlands, Shai Hope, cricket, Duleep Trophy, Cheteshwar Pujara, Suryakumar Yadav, BCCI, Marnus Labuschagne, Ashes Test.
