New Zealand's innings against the Netherlands on October 9 (Monday) was a tale of watchful beginning and belligerent finish. While the Kiwi openers played three consecutive maiden overs to begin the match against the Dutch, all-rounder Mitchell Santner whacked 13 runs off just one delivery to provide an emphatic finish to the Blackcaps' innings. In what could have been the last ball of New Zealand's innings, right-arm pacer Bas de Leede delivered an over-the-waist-height no-ball which was carved over point for a six by Santner.
Next up, feeling the pressure and wanting to get done with the proceedings, de Leede delivered a friendly full-toss on the free-hit ball and once again the Kiwi left-handed batter obliged and smacked the ball straight down the ground for a maximum. Thus, de Leede's lack of discipline enabled New Zealand and Santner to accumulate 13 runs off just one delivery to close their innings out.
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Santner played a fantastic hand with the bat and remained unbeaten on 36 runs off just 17 balls. In his quick-fire cameo, the southpaw whacked three fours and two sixes. It was because of his late flourish with the bat that New Zealand managed to cross the 300-run mark and post a total of 322/7 on the board in 50 overs.
High on confidence, Santner came back and delivered a match-winning spell with the ball. The left-arm orthodox spinner bagged five wickets and conceded 59 runs in his spell of 10 overs. Santner's all-around brilliance enabled the Blackcaps to a 99-run victory over the Dutch in a critical ODI World Cup fixture.
Santner became only the third left-arm spinner in ODI World Cup history to complete a five-wicket haul. India's Yuvraj Singh and Bangladesh's Shakib Al Hasan are the other two left-arm spinners who managed to bag a five-wicket haul in the quadrennial competition.
Talking about New Zealand, the Blackcaps are off to a hot start in the ongoing edition of the World Cup. After blowing away England in their opening fixture, the Kiwis bagged two more crucial points against the Dutch. New Zealand bettered their already emphatic Net Run Rate (NRR) and are currently sitting atop the points table.
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