Sri Lanka win easily but Dutch fight hard

The Netherlands batsmen went down fighting in their ODI against Sri Lanka in Amstelveen today, making their highest ever total against a Test opponent but nevertheless losing by 195 runs.

It was a spirited performance by the Dutch, who bettered their previous highest of 230 for six against England in a World Cup match in 1996.

They began at a brisk pace, despite the loss of Bas Zuiderent, skying Maharoof to Dilshan cover, in the second over. Darron Reekers took to the attack to the Sri Lankan batsmen, well supported by Ryan ten Doeschate, so that the fifty came up of the first ball of the seventh over and the Dutch were actually ahead of the required rate.

Lasith Malinga went for 30 from his first three overs, and Maharoof, too, was expensive. It couldn't last, however, and Reekers was eventally bowled by Dilhara Fernando, who had come on from the city and and began to quieten things down.

Daan van Bunge was tied down for quite a while, and when Fernando removed first ten Doeschate and then his partner, The Netherlands were 105 for four, behind the rate and beginning to lose touch.

Tim de Leede clearly had other ideas, making a vigorous 51 from 42 balls once spinners Bandara and Lokuarachchi joined the attack, with six fours and a six. Alexei Kervezee supported him in a fifth-wicket partnership of 67, until de Leede, having reached his half-century, was caught on the square-leg boundary by Upul Tharanga off Bandara?s bowling.

Luuk van Troost and Peter Borren did not stay long, bringing the total to 187 for seven in the 35th over, but Kervezee and Billy Stelling kept the fight going with a fine eighth-wicket stand of 59. Kervezee just missed a well-deserved fifty, eventually being bowled by Lokuarachchi on 47, and Stelling went in the next over, the innings finally closing in the penultimate over.

Fernando was the pick of the Sri Lankan bowlers with three for 39, but Bandara and Lokuarachchi contributed good spells, picking up two and three wickets respectively.

Sanath Jayasuriya won the Man of the Match award for his splendid innings of 157.