Latham ton breaks spirited Netherlands
The victory meant New Zealand jumped from No.11 to eighth in the ICC Cricket World Cup Super League table, leapfrogging Pakistan, with 50 points. Netherlands remain at the bottom of the 13-team table, with 25 points after nine matches.
New Zealand solidified their position at the top of the MRF Tyres ICC Men's ODI Team Rankings, improving their rating by one point to 122.
New Zealand win by 118 runs and take an unassailable 2-0 ODI series lead against Netherlands 🎉#NZvNED pic.twitter.com/zix3GAmWYO
— ICC (@ICC) April 2, 2022
**Toss:**Netherlands opted to field
Tom Latham was the architect of the victory. New Zealand were in dire straits against the sprightly opponents, reduced to 89/6 within 23 overs. However, Latham played the ultimate captain’s knock, his 123-ball 140* reviving the hosts and eventually taking them to a mammoth 264/9.
His knock – it was his career-best score in ODI cricket – was laced with 10 fours and five sixes. It was his birthday, and he couldn’t have rung in his thirties any better.
His highest individual ODI score on his birthday 🎂
— ICC (@ICC) April 2, 2022
Take a bow, Tom Latham 🌟#NZvNED pic.twitter.com/0FvwBWXFKD
Netherlands faltered in their chase. They were 4/2 within the first two overs – Doug Bracewell and Kyle Jamieson saw off the openers – and thereafter, it was an uphill battle. There was a fighting second-wicket partnership between Vikramjit Singh and Bas de Leede, the duo putting on 77, but they were dismissed for 31 and 37 respectively, and Netherlands had no way back.
They were bundled out for 146 in 34.1 overs, with Michael Bracewell returning figures of 3/21.
Player of the Match: Tom Latham 140* (123)
The final ODI will be played in Hamilton on Monday, with Netherlands looking to gain valuable CWCSL points whilst New Zealand will pursue the sweep.