Mitchell Santner on Monday played a blistering innings and then took five wickets to guide New Zealand to a convincing 99-run win over the Netherlands in a Cricket World Cup match in Hyderabad, India.
The 31-year-old left-hander clubbed a 17-ball 36 not out in New Zealand’s imposing total of 322-7 before achieving figures of 5-59.
Santner, the first New Zealand spinner to take five wickets in a World Cup match, dominated the Netherlands who were bowled out for 223 in 46.3 overs.
Photo: AP
The victory gave New Zealand two wins in as many games after crushing title-holders England by nine wickets in Ahmedabad on Thursday.
“We did a great job batting first, built partnerships at the top and the bowlers did a fantastic job tonight,” Kiwis captain Tom Latham said.
The Netherlands were never in the hunt in the chase as they lost Vikramjit Singh (12), Max O’Dowd (16) and Bas de Leede (18) in the first 17 overs with just 67 on the board.
Top-scorer Colin Ackermann, with a 73-ball 69, and Teja Nidamanuru (21) added 50 for the fourth wicket, but Santner removed Ackermann and skipper Scott Edwards (30) to virtually end Dutch hopes.
Santner also dismissed Roelof van der Merwe (one) and Ryan Klein (eight) to complete his second five-wicket haul in his 97th one-day international. Fast bowler Matt Henry finished with 3-40 to wrap up the match.
“I was hoping we could keep them to around 280-300 when I won the toss, because I do think it gets easier to bat here as the day goes on,” Edwards said. “New Zealand have a disciplined bowling attacking though and they aren’t going to let that sort of total be easy for you.”
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