SCOTLAND DESTROY DUTCH WITH HIGHEST ODI SCORE
Scotland Men posted their highest-ever ODI score as they recorded a thumping 145-run victory over Netherlands in Utrecht.
Brandon McMullen and Richie Berrington both struck centuries to lead Scotland to a record-breaking total of 380-9, a score which always looked too much for the hosts. McMullen then took 4-55 with the ball as the Dutch were bowled out for 235.
It's a result that makes it three wins from five for Scotland in this series with Netherlands and UAE, moving them up to third in the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup League 2 table.
Scotland captain Richie Berrington said:
"After being put into bat this morning, the wicket probably played a lot better than some of us thought, but George Munsey and Brandon McMullen were outstanding to get us into a good position, and to kick on from there and get 380 was a phenomenal effort.
"We're really pleased with how we've come back in these last two games, we knew it was really important to finish this series strong, we've managed to do that, and the guys have shown a lot of character to bounce back."
With Scotland batting first for the first time on this tour, Munsey imposed himself on the game early, striking Kyle Klein powerfully for back-to-back boundaries in the opening over.
Munsey and Charlie Tear added 39 for the opening wicket, before Klein made a breakthrough as Tear drove straight at Fred Klaasen at cover.
Munsey and McMullen then attacked with their most brutal best, dismantling the Dutch attack – at one point taking 64 runs from a five over period between overs 14 and 18, as the ball flew to all parts at Kampong.
Munsey reached his half-century from 42 deliveries, and McMullen his from just 38, as the pair brought up their 100 partnership from just 73 balls.
The return of Klein brought about a much-needed breakthrough as Munsey fell for a 56-ball 80, whipping the ball to Michael Levitt on the leg-side boundary.
McMullen, joined by skipper Berrington, continued to dominate proceedings, taking Scotland past 200 inside 29 overs.
Berrington went to his 50 from 56 deliveries, before in the following over McMullen completed an 86-ball century, his fourth in ODI cricket.
The Scotland captain moved into fifth gear after passing 50, striking Paul Van Meekeren for three consecutive sixes over the leg-side – but Van Meekeren hit back to remove McMullen with the final ball of the same over, caught in the ring by Klein.
Roelof Van Der Merwe bowled Finlay McCreath (6), but Berrington moved on to an outstanding 80-ball 100, which contained five fours and five sixes.
Berrington eventually departed in the 48th over, removed by Klein to leave Scotland 354-5 – with their highest ODI score of 371 firmly in their sights.
That sparked a rush of late wickets as Scotland looked to hit out at the death – Michael Leask (1), Mark Watt (0), Matthew Cross (41) and Safyaan Sharif (5) all falling in the space of seven balls, as Scotland slid to 369-9.
A late flurry from Jack Jarvis (12*) in the final over ensured Scotland reached 380-9 – their highest ever score in Men’s ODI cricket, beating the 371 made against England in 2018 at The Grange.
Requiring a record run chase, Max O’Dowd and Levitt knew a positive start was required – and O’Dowd found the boundary three times in an over off Brad Currie.
Currie exacted his revenge from the first ball of his following over, as O’Dowd (16) picked out Sharif at mid-off.
Levitt, alongside Zach Lion-Cachet, took the Netherlands beyond 50 inside eight overs, but he then fell for 32 to McMullen.
Lion-Cachet (5) fell next ball, caught by Berrington off Currie, and when McMullen bowled Teja Nidamanuru (1), the Netherlands had fallen to 60-4.
Scott Edwards and Bas De Leede steadied the ship, adding 47 for the fifth wicket before Jarvis struck, trapping Edwards in front for 21.
De Leede, the 2023 Associate Men's Cricketer of the Year, began to find the boundary with regularity, keeping his side’s slim hopes alive – bringing up his 50 from 51 deliveries.
De Leede and Noah Croes took their side to 175, but the latter fell to Sharif, caught behind off an under-edge by Cross attempting to pull.
But De Leede himself fell in the following over for 74, advancing down the track to McMullen but getting nowhere near it, leaving Cross the simple task of completing the stumping.
McMullen (4-55), Currie (3-49) and Jarvis (2-34) cleaned up the Dutch tail with a wicket apiece, bowling their hosts out for 235 inside 43 overs.
Scotland are next in action against Nepal and the Netherlands at Forfarshire CC, Dundee from June 2 -12 - Tickets are on sale now!