Final report from Holland!

SportCentral vs Holland Under 17 T20 @ VRA CC – Thursday 23^rd July 2009-07-24

On the morning of the last game of the tour, we arrived at the national stadium of Holland, the VRA cricket club, which looked pleasantly average yet different, with a tree plonked in the outfield and a grass wicket – Yes! a grass wicket. This made the SportCentral boys more confident that a victory could be achieved on tour. However, the joys of the surface were soon shattered as some typical Scottish weather rolled in.

After hours of being left in the dark we discovered we were to be playing on pitch 2, another artificial - a very controversial decision by the KNCB. When the rain cleared up both teams captains and the SportCentral coaching team met with the umpires in the ‘middle’ – if that’s what you would call it – and decided the game should go ahead. Much to our surprise Gary ‘cannae win a toss’ Halcrow finally won an elusive toss and chose to bat first.

After the events of yesterday Dan ordered that he should take first ball so he “didn’t pay £200 to stand in the field for a day and a half,” as he put it. And what a decision it was too. We started the day with Graham and Dan’s highest opening partnership of22 runs, which including Dan’s cover drive which looked cracking for someone who did a lot of running yesterday, until it fell short of the rope. Thankfully for Dan, no additional running was required as Emile van der Burg pushed it over the rope for a boundary.

This run of good form ended when Smith was bowled by van der Brandelaar (another new face for the Dutch) – but to our surprise he never described how great that wicket ball was. Graham hung around a bit longer but he Charlie McNish followed each other back to the pavilion in successive balls from the ever impressive van der Burg.

The exaggeration f the century occurred when George got out to ANOTHER amazing ball – his 3^rd in 3 days by all accounts – which nipped back “the length of Jamie” (that’s 6ft 4inches) and ripped his middle and off stumps out the ground. Once again no big scores arose from the SportCentral innings with Oliver top scoring with 16 from 28 balls and thankfully Dan scoring more than he did the previous day. 73 was the target for the Dutch as we were bowled out with 3 balls of the innings to go.

After a quick turn around Jamie was once again given the first over and continued his partnership with George. We could tell this was going to be our best bowling and fielding performance as neither bowler conceded a wide in their first overs. The teams mood was lifted even further as Subway McCann sent Mathius Luten’s middle stump hurling towards the VRA clubhouse. Scott and Graham were pleased that their neck injuries from the previous day wouldn’t be repeated today.

More inspirational bowling was to follow as the Dutch Destroyer McNish took yet another wicket with the first ball of his spell, tempting Dennis Coster into a big shot which was caught at long on by the constantly mysteriously disappearing Blair Campbell, and he also bowled van der Brandelaar for 5. However, at the other end, Gary Halcrow was busy earning himself the yellow jersey for the day – bowling Tewarie off of a free hit and then celebrating as if he had got his man!! Not exactly Gary’s most inspirational or intelligent moment as captain.

After another great McNish over, Jonesy managed to get Tewarie out off a legal delivery – sending his stumps flying backwards too. However, in the 13^th over – forgetting superstition – a set of 4 byes from Charlie’s last over gave the game to Holland, who reached their target for a respectable fall of 5 wickets. This game, which was definitely our best performance of the tour was a great way to end what has been cracking fun, and as Gordie says “It’s a great learning experience,” but Dan isn’t so sure! Thanks go to the VRA CC for allowing us to play at the national ground, and the KNCB for helping us organise this tour, it has been a great experience for all involved.

Report by Jamie, Ross and Blair