Netherlands open with 17-run win

Netherlands 271 for 8 (ten Doeschate 49, Kervezee 49, Dhaniram 3-34) beat Canada 254 for 8 (Maxwell 59, Bagai 53) by 17 runs
Scorecard

Ryan ten Doeschate drives on his way to 49 © Eddie Norfolk

An impressive all-round display from Ryan ten Doeschate helped Netherlands to a confident 17-run win as they opened their Tri-Series account on a positive note at Potchefstroom. ten Doeschate, who plays for Essex, struck 49, the equal top-score for Netherlands, before nabbing two early wickets with the new ball as Canada stumbled in their pursuit of 272.

Canada rallied after falling to 100 for 4 with Don Maxwell and Desmond Chumney adding 95 for the fifth wicket, but with the asking-rate always heading upwards the pressure was too great. Daan van Bunge claimed both batsmen via stumpings to ensure Netherlands avoided any late scares.

Netherlands's batting performance was based around a team effort as the top five all got starts. The openers laid a solid foundation with 67 in less than 13 overs, allowing the middle order to play with some freedom. ten Doeschate's was the eye-catching knock as he slammed eight fours in his 44-ball innings and Alexei Kervezee, a 17-year-old, also fell one short of a fifty from a more circumspect 68 deliveries.

ten Doeschate then took charge with the ball reducing Canada to 12 for 2. The slide was halted as Ashish Bagai struck a 69-ball half-century but there was too much left to do for the lower order. Canada have the chance to bounce back straight away with their second match of the tournament taking place on Monday against Bermuda.