Scots stay competitive but Ten Doeschate powers Dutch to victory

The all-rounder hit a century against Middlesex earlier this week in the Friends Provident T20 and fell just short of recording another yesterday, eventually being dismissed for 90 in the 45th over.

By then, however, the Dutch were in control of their run chase after Scotland had managed a slightly below-par 235 for six in their 50 overs having won the toss and elected to bat.

Josh Davey of Middlesex opened the innings for Scotland in his debut ODI but was the first batsman to go, caught by Pieter Seelaar off the bowling of Peter Borren for 24.

Richie Berrington, Scotland's in-form player this season, then stroked a brisk 84 runs in only 92 balls, but wickets kept falling around him.

With no other player able to reach 50, the Scots failed to build enough partnerships to maintain the same kind of momentum at the other end.

Berrington, one of Scotland's full-time contracted players, was eventually the sixth batsman to fall, going to a catch by Worcestershire's Alexei Kervezee from the bowling of Ten Doeschate, who finished with two for 38.

The pick of the Dutch bowlers, however, was spinner Adeel Raja who claimed two for 16 in a five-over stint of gentle off-breaks.

Matthew Parker claimed the early wicket of Eric Szwarczynski for nine, but even when the dangerous Kervezee was out caught and bowled by Berrington, the Dutch never looked in trouble.

Dutch debutant Tom Cooper and Ten Doeschate built what was effectively a match-winning partnership of 158 runs for the third wicket.

Gordon Drummond, Scotland captain for the first time in an ODI in the absence of Gavin Hamilton, did eventually take ten Doeschate's wicket thanks to a Qasim Sheikh catch.

Bas Zuiderent became a first victim for Davey in the final over, but Cooper finished unbeaten on 80 as the Dutch sealed victory with three balls to spare.