THE HAGUE – Key contributions from Mark Adair and Fionn Hand ensured that Ireland’s men began their treble campaign with victory over Holland on Sunday.
Batting first by the hosts, Ireland bowled out the Dutch for 151 for victory. Adair scored 49 off just 24 deliveries, including seven fours and two sixes, as Ireland reached 150-8 from their 20 overs.
Hand then turned the game on its head with a brilliant spell of 3-18, his fourth and final over – the 16th of the match – becoming crucial as he first took the vital skin of Bas de Leed (32) and was dismissed. . Teja Nidamanuru two balls later.
It looked like a comfortable win for the tourists, but Tim Pringle’s brilliant knock (35* off 13 balls) left Holland needing 20 off the last and then three off the last ball. Adair (2-34), meanwhile, saw off Ireland as Pringle could only manage one with a nervous breakdown.
The Netherlands have defeated Scotland in the opening match of the tri-nation series on Saturday, a crucial set of games at Voorburg CC. This match will not only serve as a preparation for the 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup for Ireland and Scotland, but may also decide who will qualify for the 2026 event. The top 12 teams in the ICC Official World Ranking at the end of the upcoming T20 World Cup will selected for the next edition, with Ireland currently 11th, Scotland 13th and the Netherlands 15th.
The home side won the game and made a good start, firing Andrew Balbirnie, Paul Stirling and Harry Tector in a strong performance to beat Ireland in the derby.
Lorcan Tucker, who scored back-to-back half-centuries in the last two T20Is against Pakistan, continued his good form with 40 off 30 balls. His innings included five fours and a six but ended with Tim Pringle bowling on 12.
Ireland then looked set to go down a bit as George Dockrell went 83-6.
Gareth Delaney (18 *) and Adair, who reached the final in the second half of the T20I century, ensured that the Irish bowlers had something to look forward to as they were put on 66 for the seventh wicket.
In response, the Netherlands started with a flurry of batsmen, but Ireland was able to strike with the last ball of the game thanks to Kurtis Kemper’s breakthrough. Kemper went on to collect his second wicket and became Ireland’s bowler until Hand began to act. The 25-year-old was one of the changes in the side in the last match against Pakistan and took advantage of the opportunity with both hands.
After a heroic 16th over, Ireland was firmly in the driving seat until Pringle took the game to the top and created a late nerve. Fortunately, Adair saves him.
Ireland are in action on Monday when they face Scotland at the same venue.
