PNG test for Netherlands as qualification chances dim

Overview
The Netherlands v Papua New Guinea
VRA Cricket Ground, Amstelveen
Match 12, WT20Q 2018
Tuesday, 10 July, 14:00 GMT, 16:00 Local

In the final round of matches in Group A at the ICC Women’s World T20 Qualifier 2018, Bangladesh go up against UAE, while the Netherlands face off against PNG.

Bangladesh were always going to be the favourites, and have lived up to their billing by beating PNG and the Netherlands comfortably. UAE have also beaten the home side, but the big result was PNG getting the better of UAE, a result that has left all four teams with a shot at getting into the semi-finals of the tournament.

If UAE surprise Bangladesh, the Netherlands don’t have a chance. But if, in sticking to their superior rank and reputation, Bangladesh win, the Netherlands have a chance by beating PNG and getting on two points, the same as UAE and PNG.

That’s what they will be hoping for, but PNG might be very tough nuts to crack.

UAE were strong against the Netherlands, but folded for 83 against PNG as Sibona Jimmy led an outstanding bowling effort with returns of 2/11. The chase wasn’t straightforward, as PNG lost eight wickets, but with four of their top five getting into double-digits, the win was achieved with one ball to spare.

But the Netherlands can’t worry much about what PNG might do. They are in a corner, and must put their absolute best game on the field. Sterre Kalis led a one-woman show for them in the first game, and again top scored with 15 against Bangladesh as the home side were bowled out for a paltry 42.

That the Netherlands still picked up three wickets in the Bangladesh reply, with Cher van Slobbe, the medium pacer, picking up two wickets, was commendable, but far from enough.

The other batters need to support Kalis if the Netherlands are to have a chance, while for PNG, it will again be a matter of the team performing as a unit.

Key players

Sterre Kalis (The Netherlands): She has played perhaps the innings of the competition, the unbeaten 88 against UAE coming in a losing cause but showing the world what she is capable of. Just 18, Kalis has scored a pile of runs for the Netherlands as well as Essex Women in recent times, and will be confident of doing it again in what is a perform-or-perish match.

Sibona Jimmy (Papua New Guinea): The 25-year-old off-spinner has kept things very tight so far. The two wickets against UAE are the only two she has so far in the tournament, but an overall economy rate of 4.14 proves how useful she can be. In a team without any one player who has shone through as a star, Jimmy has stood out as a consistent performer.

Squads

**The Netherlands:**Heather Siegers (c), Cher van Slobbe, Esther Corder, Caroline de Fouw, Babette de Leede (wk), Denise Hannema, Sterre Kalis, Lisa Klokgieters, Mariska Kornet, Juliet Post, Annemijn Thomson, Robine Rijke, Silver Siegers, Jolien van Vliet

**Papua New Guinea:**Pauke Siaka (c), Natasha Ambol, Vicky Ara'a, Kaia Arua, Helen Buruka (wk), Veru Kila Frank, Sibona Jimmy, Kopi John, Ravini Oa, Tanya Ruma, Brenda Tau (wk), Mairi Tom, Isabel Toua, Naoani Vare