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Netherlands v Ireland, Rotterdam, 3rd day
Connell puts Ireland firmly in command
Cricinfo staff
July 11, 2008
Netherlands 127 (Connell 4-41) and 49 for 3 (van Bunge 21*) trail Ireland 400 for 6 (Botha 173) by 224 runs
Scorecard
Ireland continued their domination over Netherlands on the third day in Rotterdam, compiling 400 for 6 before blowing the home side away for just 127. Following on, Netherlands limped to 49 for 3.
After yesterday's frustration with the rain, Andre Botha had a double hundred in his sights, but he fell for 172 to end a 139-run stand with Andrew Poynter - and it was Poynter who opened his shoulders to edge Ireland over 400. Gary Wilson gave him good support in his brief but entertaining 27, and at 400 for 6, Kyle McCallan declared.
Ireland's bowlers reacted immediately, removing Geert-Maarten Mol, Tom de Grooth and Nick Statham cheaply. Ireland's destroyer was Peter Connell, the New Zealand-born seamer, and once he had Eric Szwarczynski caught behind, Netherlands had fallen to 37 for 5. Mudassar Bukhari fought back with 23 from 42, but the rest folded quickly and McCallan picked up 2 for 3 from five overs.
After his fine 172, Botha was into the action again with two quick wickets as Netherlands' batsmen struggled in their second innings. So long as the rain holds tomorrow, Ireland can expect to wrap this match up in double-quick time with only seven wickets needed.
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