Middlesex ease to 46-run win

Middlesex 241 for 5 beat Netherlands 195 by 46 runs
Scorecard

Middlesex eased to a comfortable victory over Netherlands in their Clydesdale Bank 40 encounter in Amstelveen. Their win was set up by Scott Newman, who raced to 122 from only 107 balls, hitting three sixes along the way, as Middlesex reached 241 for 5 after opting to bat first. Pedro Collins then ripped through the Dutch batting line-up with 4 for 25, including a wicket with the first ball of the chase, as Netherlands were bowled out for 195.

Newman added 112 in just under 20 overs with Neil Dexter before Dexter edged Peter Borren through to wicketkeeper Atse Buurman to depart for 40. Owais Shah fell a short time later, but Dawid Malan and Gareth Berg chipped in with cameos as Newman kept the runs flowing. Fast bowler Mark Jonkman was the most successful Dutch bowler, picking up 2 for 49.

Netherlands' chase got off to a disastrous start as Eric Szwarczynski played from the crease to his first ball and chipped a simple return catch to Collins. Netherlands slipped to 7 for 2 when Collins trapped Nick Statham lbw, but Australian import Michael Dighton kept the innings afloat with 85 from 102 balls. He was joined in a 72-run partnership by Tom Cooper, who reached 30, and Bas Zuiderent also kept Netherlands in the running with a run-a-ball 28.

But after he was dismissed, wickets fell at regular intervals, and Collins returned to wrap up the innings by bowling Mohammad Kashif.