On this day in 2009 – Netherlands beat England in the opening game of T20 WC
In what will rank as one of the biggest upsets in T20 World Cup history, the Netherlands side beat the England cricket team in a thrilling encounter on 5th June 2009 in the opening match of the ICC T20 World Cup. On this eventful day, The Netherlands side won the toss and elected to field first.
Ravi Bopara and Luke Wright opened the batting for England and put on a scintillating partnership of 102 runs in just 11.2 overs. While Bopara scored 46 off 34 deliveries, Wright scored a quickfire 71 at a strike rate of 144.89.
However, the other England batsmen failed to capitalize on this wonderful start from Bopara and Wright. England kept losing wickets at regular intervals and ended their first innings with a total of 162/5. Ryan ten Doeschate was the pick of the bowlers for the Netherlands side. Even though he was a bit expensive and gave away 35 runs in the four overs that he bowled, Doeschate scalped the wickets of both Bopara and Wright.
The Netherlands started their run chase in poor fashion and lost both their opening batsmen with just 23 runs on the board. But then, the duo of Tom de Grooth and Peter Borren played valuable knocks for the Jeroen Smits led side. While Grooth scored 49 runs at an excellent strike rate of 163.33, Borren scored a sedate 25-ball 30. And, these two men allowed the Netherlands side to cross the finish line with four wickets to spare and post arguably the most famous win in their cricketing history.
James Anderson was the star performer with the ball for England. In the 4 overs that he bowled, the right arm pace bowling legend scalped 3 wickets, giving away only 23 runs. And, for his timely knock that allowed The Netherlands to stun England, Tom de Grooth was awarded the Player of the Match award.
