Netherlands well placed after Ten Doeschate hundred

Netherlands 235 for 3 (ten Doeschate 138, van Bunge 17*, Kervezee 7*) v Bermuda
Scorecard

A fine 138 from Ryan ten Doeschate led Netherlands to a solid 235 for 3 against Bermuda on the opening day of their ICC Intercontinental Cup match at Pretoria.

Netherlands, who fielded a strong side, must beat Bermuda if they are to replace Canada at the top of Group B, the winner of which progresses to the final. Fortunately for them, they are facing a weakened Bermuda side whose confidence is on the wane following a poor tour of Kenya.

However, Bermuda appeared - initially at least - to have put their indifferent form behind them. After Netherlands had won the toss they lost Bas Zuiderent in the second over, bowled by Saleem Mukuddem. But ten Doeschate joined Tom de Grooth to put on a huge second-wicket stand of 189, with ten Doeschate in particularly aggressive mood. It was he who reached his fifty first, from 95 balls including seven crashing fours and a six.

Netherlands were looking settled before Mukuddem took his second wicket, removing de Grooth for 61 to end the day's only significant partnership. And though ten Doeschate fell shortly before the close, he had registered a fine hundred - his fourth in first-class cricket, and a vital one for the Netherlands, who ended the day in a strong position.