January 30, 2013 at 5:54 p.m.
Dutch batsmen have it their way
It was slow going for the Dutch on a rain-affected opening day, but by stumps they had racked up 235 for 3, with Essex county star Ryan ten Doeschate leading the way with a fine century.
With more rain in prospect and Holland needing a maximum 20 points to stay in contention for the Intercontinental Cup, Bermuda's best prospect appears to be an aggressive declaration this morning from the Dutch - which would leave both teams a chance to win the game.
South African Mukuddem, playing on his home turf in this four-day match, quickly got Bermuda off to the perfect start yesterday, bowling Dutch opener Bas Zuiderent in the second over of the day.
But it was all downhill from there as Ten Doeschate and Tom de Grooth laid on the pain with a huge second-wicket stand of 189.
When the breakthrough came it was Mukuddem again who finally wore down de Grooth - the opener holing out to Kevin Hurdle at mid-off on 61 to end the only significant partnership of the day.
Earlier he had skied a chance to long-leg but was missed by Irving Romaine off Hurdle's bowling.
Ten Doeschate was ultimately dismissed with just a few overs remaining, skying a ball from Leverock for wicket-keeper Dean Minors to take a comfortable catch.
But by that time the damage had been done with the Dutch star hitting a solid 138 from 196 balls.
Bermuda relied heavily on three bowlers during this rain-interrupted day. Mukkudem took 2 wickets for 63 runs in 20 overs. Leverock took 1 wicket for 68 runs in 24 overs and opening bowler Hurdle had 0 wickets for 67 runs in 18 overs.
Though, on paper, Holland appear to be in control of the game, they were due to resume this morning with two relatively new batsmen at the crease and the pressure on to increase their painfully slow run rate.
Bermuda are already out of the Intercontinental Cup and the pressure is off. But Holland have to win.
And with de Grooth crawling along yesterday - his 61 took 185 balls - and more rain interruptions anticipated DLS van Bunge and AN Kervezee will need to up the tempo today.[[In-content Ad]]
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