ICC T20 World Cup Qualifier 2019: Semifinals - Round Up

Captain Pieter Seelaar and all-rounder Roelof van der Merwe guided the Netherlands to the final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Qualifier final where they will play PNG. Netherlands saw off Ireland by 21 runs to book their place in the final while PNG beat Namibia in the second semi-final. Batting first Netherlands put on a good score of 158 for four thanks to Ryan ten Doeschate (43 not out),

Ben Cooper (37) and Roelof van der Merwe (25 not out) all contributing with the bat. And then when with the ball it was down to Seelaar (three for 17) and Van der Merwe (two for 19) to put the pressure on and reduce Ireland to 137 for nine from their 20 overs.

In the second semi-final, a superb bowling effort from PNG saw them successfully defend 130 for five and down Namibia. Sese Bau’s unbeaten 40 dragged his side up to a competitive total and a suffocating collective effort in the field, led by Jason Kila with the ball in hand, saw them home by 18 runs.

All-rounder van der Merwe guides the Netherlands to the final

Roelof van der Merwe starred with the bat and ball as the Netherlands booked their place in the ICC Men’s T20 Qualifier final after a 21-run victory over Ireland. Batting first, Netherlands put on 158 for four from their 20 overs with Ryan ten Doeschate hitting 43 not out while van der Merwe was unbeaten on 25.

And that score proved too much for Ireland as they were always behind the chase and were undone by the skilful Dutch bowling attack. Captain Pieter Seelaar chipped in with an impressive three for 17.

Bau and Vanua star as PNG upset Namibia

PNG shone with the ball to defend a below-par 130 for five and defeat Namibia by 18 runs, securing a spot in the ICC Men’s T20 Qualifier final. Electing to bat first, PNG lost three wickets in the powerplay with opening bowlers Ben Shikongo and Christi Viljoen turning the screw.

A half-century stand between Charles Amini and Sese Bau steadied the ship, but tricky medium-pacer JJ Smit held sway in the middle overs to restrict PNG to 130 for five from their 20 overs. JP Kotze and Stephan Baard forced the issue in the powerplay but Namibia struggled in the second half of their innings, losing wickets at regular intervals.

Paceman Norman Vanua starred with a sensational 2-16 from his four overs, including bowling the final over, and was one of eight bowlers used that contributed to a stirring effort in the field.

Brief Scores

Netherlands beat Ireland by 21 runs

Netherlands 158-4, 20 overs (Ryan ten Doeschate 43 not out, Ben Cooper 37, Roelof van der Merwe 25 not out, Craig Young 2-39)
Ireland 137-9, 20 overs (Paul Stirling 29, George Dockrell 25 not out, Pieter Seelaar 3-17, Roelof van der Merwe 2-19)

PNG beat Namibia by 18 runs

PNG 130-5, 20 overs (Sese Bau 40 not out, Charles Amini 31, Norman Vanua 20 not out, JJ Smit 2-29)
Namibia 112-5, 20 overs (Stephan Baard 34, JP Kotze 30, JJ Smit 16 not out, Norman Vanua 2-16, Jason Kila 1-14)