Netherlands earn last-ball victory

Jacob Jan Esmeijer scored three runs off the last ball to lift the Netherlands to a dramatic victory over Namibia in the ICC Trophy final on Sunday.

Chasing a target of 196 to win, the Netherlands battled back from 106-6 to steal victory after Namibia's Riaan Walters misfielded a glance to fine leg that allowed the Dutch batsmen to scramble for the winning runs.

It was the last of a series of fielding errors by the Namibians that included two dropped catches and two missed run-out opportunities as the African side threw away a match they should have won.

Batting first on a flat, dry pitch, Namibia were pegged back by solid bowling each time they threatened to build any major partnerships.

With several batsman at the top of the order getting in, Namibia would have hoped to have scored more than the 195-9 they managed in their allotted 50 overs.

Gavin Murgatroyd was the side's top scorer with 50 runs and played a part in Namibia's biggest partnership, 60 runs put on with Deon Kotze, who scored 28.

The Netherlands found themselves in trouble early in their innings as Rudi van Vuuren took two early wickets to leave them at 12-2.

A solid 50 from Klass van Noortwijk helped the Dutch get back into contention, before Man of the Match Esmeijer -- who finished on 58 not out -- led the side to victory.

By reaching the final, both teams qualified for the 2003 World Cup in South Africa.

Hosts Canada will play Scotland in the third-place match on Tuesday with the winner of that contest also qualifying for the World Cup.

Mail Cricket Editor