Netherlands player Roelof van der Merwe proved that age is just a number in front of uninhibited passion and determination as the 38-year-old plucked a one-handed stunner to dismiss Steve Smith.
The Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi hosted Australia and the Netherlands on Wednesday for a crucial match for both teams in the World Cup 2023.
In that, Steve Smith was batting superbly and had scored 71 runs in 67 balls with the help of 9 fours and a six. He was looking set for his first century of this tournament, but a screamer of a catch from van der Merwe at point position cut Smith’s innings short.
It was a short and wide delivery outside the off-stump from off-spinner Aryan Dutt that Steve Smith rocked to cut hard. And he did. The ball would have likely raced away for a four, but was intercepted by a diving Roelof van der Merwe at point. The fielder crouched low and grabbed the ball as he tumbled on the ground.
To not leave any confusion in the minds of the umpire, Roelof van der Merwe showed the ball in his right hand to the umpires. The third umpire deemed that his fingers were under the ball and gave Steve Smith out. This was a big wicket for the Netherlands as it broke a dangerous stand between Smith and David Warner.
Watch: Roelof van der Merwe takes a one-handed stunner to dismiss Steve Smith
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Pat Cummins said at toss: We will have a bat. Looks like a lovely wicket. The sun is out. Happy with the way we have played the last couple of games. The bridge is still too far for Head. Still would need a few more days. Stoinis has a niggly calf. Cam Green comes in. Looks a good day to score runs.
Earlier Pat Cummins had won the toss and elected to bat first.
Teams:
Netherlands (Playing XI): Vikramjit Singh, Max ODowd, Colin Ackermann, Bas de Leede, Teja Nidamanuru, Scott Edwards(w/c), Sybrand Engelbrecht, Logan van Beek, Roelof van der Merwe, Aryan Dutt, Paul van Meekeren
Australia (Playing XI): David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Steven Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis(w), Glenn Maxwell, Cameron Green, Pat Cummins(c), Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Adam Zampa
