Scotland back in contention after defeating Netherlands in super over on thrilling day of cricket

• Netherlands secure comfortable win over Germany by 131 runs
• Netherlands opener Sterre Kalis equals Meg Lanning’s record for individual highest score in a women’s T20I with 126* off 76 balls
• A thrilling finish by super over between Netherlands and Scotland sees the Scots walk away with a narrow victory that keeps their hopes alive0

The morning game in La Manga, Spain between Netherlands and Germany provided plenty of fireworks on a hot and windy day. Netherlands started strong after being sent in to bat by the Germans, with Heather Siegers racing to 13 off 9 balls. It was the 144-run partnership between Sterre Kalis (126* off 76 balls) and Denise van Deventer (40 off 35 balls) that set the innings alight and got the Dutch to an insurmountable total.

Batting with increasing confidence, it was 19-year-old Sterre Kalis who took the attack to the German bowlers, hitting 10 fours and 5 sixes to get to a record-equalling 126*. Christina Gough (1/39 off 4) provided the breakthrough, effecting the run out of van Deventer before taking a wicket with the ball shortly after. Anna Healy (0/19 off 4) proved the most economical of the German bowlers.

The 126* by Sterre Kalis equals the record held by Meg Lanning for the highest individual score in a women’s T20I and is only the second occasion of an opener carrying their bat in a women’s T20I. Her performance accounted for most of the Dutch runs, with Netherlands finishing their innings on 196/3.

In the reply, Germany batted with more confidence than the day before, using their feet and playing shots both sides of the wicket. The opening pair looked to settle early, and almost made it out the Powerplay before T20I debutant Annemijn van Beuge (2/4 off 4) dismissed Janet Ronalds in the fifth over, taking the wicket of Stephanie Frohnmayer shortly after.

Germany slowly accrued runs despite losing regular wickets. Anna Healy (4 off 10 balls) scored the first boundary for Germany in T20Is and captain Christina Gough (22 off 33) balls anchored the innings for Germany before losing her wicket with five balls left. Germany ended on 65/7, their run scoring restricted by tidy spells from the young Dutch bowling attack. Iris Zwilling (2/15 off 4) and Sterre Kalis (2/11 off 4) took two wickets apiece, along with Annemijn Van Beuge (2/4 off 4) who maintained pressure with the ball throughout.

In the afternoon, the return match between Netherlands and Scotland delivered plenty of drama and excitement as the Scots were keen to come back strong from their loss the day before and the Netherlands were hoping to secure the tournament win and qualification for both pathways with a win over the Scots.

Scotland got off to a flying start after being sent in to bat, with opener Sarah Bryce (15 off 12 balls) hitting a big six in the early overs. Leg-spinner Caroline de Lange brought the breakthrough for the Dutch, dismissing Sarah Bryce on the first ball of her spell and the in-form Becky Glen three balls later.

Scotland kept building towards a competitive total, despite regular loss of wickets, with captain Kathryn Bryce (33 off 35 balls) holding the innings together until falling to the off-spin of Kalis (1/15 off 2) in the 13th over. Heather Siegers (3/29 off 4) accounted for the middle order with three wickets and a run-out, while youngster Annemijn van Beuge (1/10 off 3) contributed with another tidy spell of bowling. Scotland lost their last wicket in the 19th over with the score on 96.

The Netherlands innings got off to a horror start with the loss of Kalis and Denise van Deventer in the space of two balls with the score on 7 to the bowling of Kathryn (2/9 off 4). The wicket of Siegers (7 off 16 balls) in the last over of the Powerplay put the Dutch in a precarious position with 79 runs still needed in the last 14 overs.

With boundaries hard to come by, the Dutch middle order of Miranda Veringmeier (17 off 25 balls), Robine Rijke (27 off 39 balls) resorted to quick singles and the occasional two to get closer to the Scottish total. With the required run rate climbing higher in the later stages due to the pressure from Scottish bowlers Katie McGill (1/17 off 4), Samantha Haggo (0/15 off 3) and Rachel Scholes (1/16 off 3), it was a valiant effort from Babette de Leede (27 off 26 balls) who got the Dutch back on track with a big six in the 17th over and some inventive shots in the later stages.

With three needed on the last ball for the win, de Leede and Zwilling completed two runs to get the scores level, with Zwilling being run out attempting the third.

With the scores tied after 20 overs, the game was to be decided by a super over. Kathryn took responsibility with the ball in the super over, restricting Kalis and Siegers to just 7 runs from the over. On the first ball of the reply, Sarah hit a four to get the Scots into a good early position. Good bowling from youngster van Beuge meant that the winning run only came on the last bowl of the super over. A worthy conclusion to a thrilling match.

The result means that Scotland and Netherlands are tied on points with a game each left against Germany. The tournament continues Saturday, with all three teams mathematically still in with a chance to top the table. However, it looks likely that Netherlands and Scotland will battle it out for the tournament victory and the respective qualification places.

Summary of Scores

Netherlands 196/3 (20 overs) defeatGermany 65/7 (20 overs) by 131 runs

Scotland 96/10 (18.5 overs) defeatNetherlands 96/7 (20 overs) by Super Over

Standings ****