ICC Intercontinental Cup and Shield

CANADA v NETHERLANDS Both teams were below strength, Canada being without John Davison and Ian Billcliff and the Netherlands lacking Ryan ten Doeschate (on Twenty20 duty with Essex) and Bas Zuiderent. The Dutch also had to make a late change when Mohammad Kashif withdrew because of a family bereavement; Mangesh Panchal was the surprise choice as replacement since he was not part of the Dutch training squad, but he was the in-form leg spin bowler in the Hoofdklasse, the top Dutch domestic competition. The match also marked a return to first-class umpiring duties for Darrell Hair who had been removed from the ICC’s elite panel following his handling of the England-Pakistan test match at The Oval in London in August 2006. Having won the toss on a cloudy day with dampness in the air and with the pitch very green, Ashish Bagai had no hesitation in inserting The Netherlands; he was expecting them to collapse against the pace attack of Umar Bhatti and Henry Osinde. Reality proved very different, however, as Alexei Kervezee and Tom de Grooth rose to the challenge, defending the good balls and scoring off the poorer deliveries. De Grooth fell just before lunch which was taken with the score at 99 for one. After the interval, Kervezee continued to bat well, passing his 50 off 80 balls and scoring more freely, but he could not find a supporting partner. Osinde produced a spell of eight overs, four of which were maidens, taking three wickets and was virtually unplayable at times. By tea, the Dutch had lost seven wickets for 218. Umar Bhatti removed Edgar Schiferli and Panchal very quickly in the third session but there was another Dutch revival. Mudassar Bukhari struck the bowling to all parts of the field in an aggressive 66 made at a strike rate of 92.9 and, accompanied by Mark Jonkman, added 63 for the last wicket. Bukhari continued his aggression into his bowling, taking two wickets in his first over. Bagai and Shahzad Khan steered Canada to 65 for two at the close. The second day was one of fluctuating fortunes as the initiative passed from one team to the other and back again. Shahzad Khan and Bagai took the score to 97 whereupon Bukhari, Schiferli and Peter Borren extracted extra bounce from the pitch. The Canadian middle order were unable to cope and at lunch the home side were 141 for six. Worse was to follow for Canada when Umar Bhatti was forced to retire soon after the resumption after being struck on a finger of his bowling hand by a delivery from Jonkman; he was unable to bowl or field in the Dutch second innings. In response, Sunil Dhaniram and Kevin Sandher then frustrated the Dutch with a partnership of 106. Dhaniram’s 73 was made at a strike rate of 83.9 and the Dutch were reduced to trying Eric Szwarczynski, a ploy which was successful as the batsman top-edged to Aatse Buurman in the slips. Ashish Patel failed to score, but Canada then replicated the Dutch first innings with what was effectively a last-wicket stand, since Umar Bhatti was not going to resume his innings. A stand of 89 resulted, Henry Osinde being the dominant participant with 60 runs from 79 balls. The stand took Canada into a first-innings lead. Canada’s replication of the Dutch first-day performance continued as Osinde and Patel removed the opening pair. Shahzad Khan took a third wicket close to stumps. The Dutch finished the day only ten runs in front and only seven wickets in hand. It took Canada most of the third day to dismiss the Dutch despite an impressive morning session. After one hour’s play, The Netherlands were 66 for five. Borren and Bukhari put on 72 until, just before lunch, Bukhari, who had batted with considerable restraint, lost patience and slashed at a ball from Shahzad Khan, top-edging it to Bagai. Borren continued his resistance into the afternoon, accompanied by Jeroen Smits who, despite being surrounded by four slips and a gully, blocked everything offered. He took 26 balls to get off the mark and altogether batted over one and three-quarter hours for his eight runs. The support he offered Borren was invaluable, enabling the latter to reach his maiden century. Both fell mid-afternoon but Schiferli and Jonkman added 45 runs for the ninth wicket either side of the tea interval. Panchal then helped Jonkman add a further 54 for the last wicket. The Canadians wilted in the face of this resistance, dropping four catches and giving away 44 extras. With the ball alternating between high bounce and keeping very low, Bagai had a difficult time behind the stumps and conceded 27 byes. Set a target of 271 runs, the dismal day for Canada continued as they lost two wickets before the close. Canada started well on the final day, taking their score to 105 for two but this quickly became 111 for four. That set the pattern for the day of promising partnerships, taking Canada closer to victory, broken by wickets falling in pairs. Four of the wickets fell to the leg spin of Panchal who, although conceding 50 runs in his 11 overs, found awkward bounce and deserved his four wickets and was largely responsible for Canada falling 45 runs short. Peter Borren obtained the Man-of-the-Match award for his century, which was the deciding contribution in taking the game away from Canada. 118 ICC Intercontinental Cup 2007-08