McCullum blitz sinks Netherlands

Cricket365
March 29, 2014

Captain Brendon McCullum's blitz, highlighted by a prolific milestone, carried New Zealand to a convincing six-wicket triumph over the Netherlands.

Captain Brendon McCullum's blitz, highlighted by a prolific milestone, carried New Zealand to a convincing six-wicket triumph over the Netherlands in Saturday's important World Twenty20 fixture at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong.

McCullum became the first player to reach 2,000 runs in the shortest format of the international game en route to a commanding 65 off just 45 balls, a quartet of fours and trio of sixes included.

The result propelled the Black Caps to second position in Group 1, while a third defeat in as many attempts kept the Dutch rooted to the foot of the five-team log. Saturday's second match will see England clash with South Africa at the same venue.

McCullum hit a punishing 45-ball 65 with three sixes and four boundaries to make easy work of a 152-run target which New Zealand chased down in 19 overs.

McCullum added 42 for the second wicket with opener Kane Williamson (29) and another 46 for the fourth wicket with all-rounder Corey Anderson, who made an unbeaten 20.

McCullum holed out in the 17th over off seamer Timm van der Gugten, who took three for 30 in his four overs. But there was no support from any other Dutch bowler as New Zealand's strong batting line-up was too good for them.

Earlier, skipper Peter Borren made 49 and the in-form Tom Cooper an unbeaten 40 during their 60-run fourth wicket stand off just 35 balls to steer their team to 151 for four in 20 overs.

Borren hit seven boundaries and a six off 35 balls to improve on his previous best T20I score of 38 not out made against Afghanistan in Sharjah last year.
Cooper knocked two sixes and four boundaries off 23 balls to help his team add 43 in the last five overs.

The Netherlands were off to a steady 34-run start, with opener Stephan Myburgh hitting a boundary and a six before he fell to pace ace Trent Boult. New Zealand also brought in all-rounder Jimmy Neesham for Colin Munro from the line-up which beat England on Saturday.