Dutch delight despite Ali ton

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For the second week on the trot Worcestershire's Moeen Ali made a Clydesdale Bank 40 century in a losing cause.

For the second week on the trot Worcestershire's Moeen Ali made a Clydesdale Bank 40 century in a losing cause.

Rooted to the bottom of the Group A table, the Royals desperately need a win to bring some cheer to the County ground and Ali did his best to oblige.

Having made 158 against Sussex earlier in the week, Ali continued his good form with a score of 117 off just 110 balls.

Ali was, however, short of competent allies with only James Cameron (42) hanging around for any length of time. The pair put on 99 for the third wicket before Cameron was caught at point off the bowling of teenager Tim Gruijters.

After claiming the early wicket of opener Aneesh Kapil, Dutch medium-pacer Mudassar Bukhari returned to claim the key scalp of Ali when the 24-year-old found Michael Swart in the covers.

Bukhari added the scalps of Neil Pinner (14) and Ben Scott (3) to his collection as the Royals stumbled to 239 in their allotted overs.

The home side must have thought that at last their day had come when Eric Swarczynski (4) and Swart (0) both provided Jack Shantry with return catches in the first over.

It wasn't to be, though, with Stephan Myburgh (55) and a combative Wesley Barresi (97) doing just enough to see the Dutch home with two balls to spare.

The result continues an impressive run for the men from the Netherlands who have accounted for Yorkshire (twice), Derbyshire and Kent during the course of the current campaign.

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