Aussies make the most of Dutch treat

Australia made 170 for two in 36 overs, man-of-the-match Damien Martyn returning to form with an unbeaten 67.

Then, with the Netherlands set a Duckworth-Lewis recalculated target of 198, spinners Darren Lehmann and Andrew Symonds raced through 15 overs in only 38 minutes to help ensure the part-timers faced at least 25 overs, the minimum number required to constitute a match.

By securing the win instead of having an abandonment, Australia will now carry forward a point rather than half a point from this match when they get to the Super Six stage of the tournament.

Given that scenario, Ricky Ponting’s men were naturally keen to play and credit should go to the Dutch players for sharing their enthusiasm, despite recent heavy rain leaving the outfield damp and a large wet patch on the pitch.

A police helicopter aided the drying process but an hour was lost and when play eventually began the Dutch bowlers used the conditions to make life hard for the batsmen.

Jimmy Maher (26) and Matthew Hayden (33) hit some powerful shots but neither was fluent before falling to medium-pacer Tim de Leede.

He had Maher caught by Daan van Bunge at first slip as he edged a drive, then Hayden lofted him to deep mid-wicket, where Edgar Schiferli held the catch.

Martyn, who was dismissed first ball in his last innings against Pakistan, survived a caught and bowled chance to Feiko Kloppenburg on one, but gradually found some form to reach 50 from 53 balls between the rain breaks.

At the other end Lehmann (29 not out), playing his first innings since returning to the side after suspension, was also scratchy, and both men seemed quite content to use their innings for batting practice in the closing overs rather than look to accelerate.

That approach, with only 47 coming from the final eight overs of the innings after a second rain break, was presumably founded on the belief that Australia’s bowlers were always going to prove too good for the Dutch batsmen, and so it proved. (Reuters)