New Zealand triumphs against Netherlands in first T20 match

A rankling bowling assault saw New Zealand beat Netherlands by 16 runs in the Black Caps' penultimate T20 match of their European visit on Thursday. Winning the throw and electing to bat, Kiwi chief Mitchell Santner's group combat to get moving on a drowsy hybrid pitch at the Voorburg Cricket Club. Driven by a decided 45 off 36 balls by veteran batsman Martin Guptill and a late whirlwind of shots by Jimmy Neesham and Ish Sodhi, New Zealand figured out 148 after 20 overs which was barely enough to see them battle off a decided Dutch fightback in the subsequent innings.

Paceman Blair Tickner tore into the Dutch batting line-up, asserting the scalps of the two openers, veteran Stephan Myburgh (5) and Max O'Dowd (2). Tickner finished with figures of 4-27 in 3.3 overs, trailed by Ben Sears who returned a noteworthy 3-22. The Dutch organized a good fightback, driven by rising star Bas de Leede, who hit a hard-charging 66 off 53 balls, including five fours and two sixes. But it was not enough and New Zealand won in the end.