Cooper, Seelaar bail Netherlands out

Ben Cooper and Pieter Seelaar launched a spirited fightback for Netherlands as the duo crafted unbeaten centuries on the fourth and final day of the ICC Intercontinental Cup match at the Mission Road Ground to force a draw against Hong Kong on Monday (February 13).

Resuming the day at 48 for 2 after being set a target of 507, Netherlands was in deep trouble at 105 for 5 a little over an hour into the day when Cooper and Seelaar joined hands to bail it out of trouble. The duo put on an unseparated 288 runs for the sixth wicket to ensure that Netherlands finished on 393 for 5 and came away with an honourable draw.

Cooper, playing just his second first-class match, remained unbeaten on 173, hitting 27 fours and two sixes during his six-and-a-half-hour vigil at the crease. It was also the first first-class ton for the more experienced Seelaar, playing his 23rd game. Batting at No. 6, he kept out 239 balls for his knock of 138 not out. His innings was studded with 18 boundaries, and was made in a little over four hours.

In the morning, Nadeem Ahmed and Ehsan Nawaz threatened to run through Netherlands once the third-wicket pair of Cooper and Wesley Barresi, the wicketkeeper-batsman, was separated. The duo extended its partnership to 55 and Barresi took his score from five to 41 when he was stumped off Nadeem, the left-arm spinner, to give Hong Kong its first success on day four. Things got worse for Netherlands as Roelof van der Merwe, the first-innings centurion, and Peter Borren, the skipper, were dismissed in the space of eight deliveries to leave their side reeling at 105 for 5. Both of them were trapped in front by Nawaz, right-arm fast-medium bowler who finished with 3 for 85 from 22 overs.

Netherlands is currently placed third on the table with 49 points, while Hong Kong stands at No. 5 with 39 points under its belt.p