• Home
  • Match Hub
  • Sean Williams Wesley Madhevere Levels Series For Zimbabwe In 1 Run Thriller

Sean Williams, Wesley Madhevere Levels Series For Zimbabwe in 1-Run Thriller


image-lfl9b8b0Wesley Madhevere bagged a hat-trick (Source: Twitter/@ZimCricketv)

Zimbabwe beat Netherlands in a nail-biter by one run, levelling the three-match series 1-1.


Williams, Madande withstands Ahmad's rampage 

After opting to bat first, Zimbabwe gained control right from the word go as a 61-run opening stand between Craig Ervine and Wesley Madhevere provided them a solid platform.

However, Netherlands started to dictate terms as soon as the first wicket fell with the likes of Shariz Ahmad, Colin Ackermann and Paul van Meekeren putting Zimbabwe to sword, reducing them to 120/5 from 61/0.

A 104-run stand for the sixth wicket again made the Chevrons march back into the contest. Sean Williams and Clive Madande brought up their fifties.

At a time the innings was progressing smoothly, leg-spinner Ahmad struck in the form of Williams' wicket and soon after got rid of Brad Evans to complete his maiden fifer in international cricket.

Madande also walked back after scoring a 57-ball 52. In the 50th over, the hosts folded for 271.


Madhevere's hat-trick stuns Netherlands 

After Blessing Muzarabani broke the 41-run opening stand, Max O'Dowd and Tom Cooper made a mockery of the Zimbabwe bowlers with their fifties. The duo partnered for 125 runs as the visitors eyed a series win.

However, Tom Cooper's run-out opened the door of recovery for Zimbabwe. Sikandar Raza also chipped in with Max's wicket, although the Dutch still stood ahead in the match.

Then came the highlight of the clash as Madhevere became the third Zimbabwean to claim a hat-trick in the ODI format, sending Ackermann, Teja Nidamanuru and Meekeren packing.

When it looked like Zimbabwe would easily win it from here, the visitors did well enough to bring the equation down to 19 in the last over, ultimately losing by the barest of margins of one run.


Brief scores:

Zimbabwe: 271/10 (49.2)

Sean Williams 77 (73), Clive Madande 52 (57);
Shariz Ahmad 5-43 (10), Colin Ackermann 2-51 (8)

Netherlands: 270/10 (50)

Max O'Dowd 81 (103), Tom Cooper 74 (84);
Wesley Madhevere 3-36 (9), Sikandar Raza 3-39 (9)

Zimbabwe won by one run