NEW DELHI: Gary Ballance hit a beautiful half-century of invincibility after Wessly Madhevere and Craig Ervine’s strong opening position as Zimbabwe recorded a comfortable seven-wicket win over the Netherlands in Harare on Saturday.
With the victory, the hosts won the three-match series 2-1.
Ballance hit a 72-ball 64-pitch charge alongside Madhevere and Madhevere and Ervine’s opening 96-run stand as Zimbabwe chased a par 232 target with 50 balls to spare.
After two midweek thrillers that were won in the final, the home side were still ahead of the pace after limiting the tourists to 231 for nine.
Sikandar Raza hit the match-winning four, taking Zimbabwe across the finish line at Harare Sports Club.
Zimbabwe often struggled in all three formats due to poor prime batting, but flyhalf Madhevere and captain Craig Ervine excelled this time putting in 96 for the first wicket.
After their departures, former England striker Ballance and Sean Williams maintained the dominance of the Dutch attack to deliver a 96-run partnership at the third wicket.
While Ballance scored in the lead with 64, including eight to four, Madhevere (50), Ervine (44) and Williams (43) played important roles.
Dutch teenager Shariz Ahmad, who took five wickets on Thursday in a second loss in a game, captured two more but they came at a heavy cost as he conceded 71 runs.
Fly-half Max O’Dowd scored with 38 for the Netherlands after captain Scott Edwards won the coin toss for the first time in the series.
Colin Ackerman (37) and Edwards (34) also made valuable shots. However, none of the three could manage a six, with O’Dowd hitting six fours, Ackermann two and Edwards four.
The only six of the tourists came from Aryan Dutt, who struck at number nine and scored 15 of 14 deliveries.
Williams was Zimbabwe’s most impressive bowler, catching three wickets for 41 runs, including those of Ackermann and Edwards.
With the victory, the hosts won the three-match series 2-1.
Ballance hit a 72-ball 64-pitch charge alongside Madhevere and Madhevere and Ervine’s opening 96-run stand as Zimbabwe chased a par 232 target with 50 balls to spare.
After two midweek thrillers that were won in the final, the home side were still ahead of the pace after limiting the tourists to 231 for nine.
Sikandar Raza hit the match-winning four, taking Zimbabwe across the finish line at Harare Sports Club.
Zimbabwe often struggled in all three formats due to poor prime batting, but flyhalf Madhevere and captain Craig Ervine excelled this time putting in 96 for the first wicket.
After their departures, former England striker Ballance and Sean Williams maintained the dominance of the Dutch attack to deliver a 96-run partnership at the third wicket.
While Ballance scored in the lead with 64, including eight to four, Madhevere (50), Ervine (44) and Williams (43) played important roles.
Dutch teenager Shariz Ahmad, who took five wickets on Thursday in a second loss in a game, captured two more but they came at a heavy cost as he conceded 71 runs.
Fly-half Max O’Dowd scored with 38 for the Netherlands after captain Scott Edwards won the coin toss for the first time in the series.
Colin Ackerman (37) and Edwards (34) also made valuable shots. However, none of the three could manage a six, with O’Dowd hitting six fours, Ackermann two and Edwards four.
The only six of the tourists came from Aryan Dutt, who struck at number nine and scored 15 of 14 deliveries.
Williams was Zimbabwe’s most impressive bowler, catching three wickets for 41 runs, including those of Ackermann and Edwards.
With the two countries not in contention for direct entry to the 2023 World Cup in India, they have used the series to prepare for a qualifying tournament that Zimbabwe will host in June and July.
(With contributions from AFP)
