We have opted for a fantasy cricket team based on the recent performances, overall impact, and credit points.
Pitch Report
12 of 19 matches at VRA Cricket Ground in Amstelveen have been won by the team batting first. The highest score at the venue is 443 for 9 by Sri Lanka in 2006. The ball comes nicely onto the bat, but the batters have to be wary of lateral movement in such seaming conditions. Powerplay will be crucial for both teams.
Teams
Probable XI for Netherlands: Vikram Singh, Max O’Dowd, Musa Ahmed, Bas de Leede, Scott Edwards (wk), Vivian Kingma, Pieter Seelaar (c), Logan van Beek, Aryan Dutt, Clayton Floyd, Fred Klaasen
Probable XI for West Indies: Shai Hope (wk), Brandon King, Kyle Mayers, Nicholas Pooran (c), Shamarh Brooks, Rovman Powell, Nkrumah Bonner, Romario Shepherd, Akeal Hossain, Hayden Walsh, Jayden Seales
Power Players
Shai Hope’s numbers in the ODIs are incredible. In 89 matches, he has scored 3,738 runs at 51, including 10 hundreds and 20 fifties. Since the pandemic, he has scored two hundreds and five fifties.
Although his team did not do well in the Indian T20 League, Nicholas Pooran displayed his powerful range of shots. He hammered 306 runs at an average of 38 and strike rate of 144. The onus of holding the innings together in the middle overs will be on the new West Indies captain.
Smart Picks
Pieter Seelar needs three wickets to become the highest wicket-taker for the Netherlands in the format. His 55 wickets have come at an average of 33. More importantly, he provides vital fantasy points with the bat as well. He scored a terrific 43 against New Zealand earlier this year.
In the same series, Logan van Beek was the highest wicket-taker. He took 7 wickets in 3 games, including a three-wicket haul.
In his six-ODI career, Shamarh Brooks has the highest scores of 93, 44, and 43. He has a solid temperament, making him a safe pick in fantasy cricket.
Fred Klaasen has excellent figures in the format: 25 wickets in a mere 13 games. He is a genuine strike bowler who makes a significant impact in the death overs.
Rovman Powell was in decent form in the Indian T20 League. He blasted 250 runs at a stunning strike rate of 150.That said, he often holes out in the deep, trying to clear the ropes at frequent intervals.
In the current squad, Scott Edwards has scored the most runs for the Netherlands. The wicketkeeper-batter has scored 379 runs comprising four fifties, taken 13 catches, and inflicted 3 stumpings.
The talented Vikram Singh had a good time in his debut series, against New Zealand. His scores read 45, 7, 19, 31, and 25. He will be a surprise package in fantasy sports.
The spin duo of Akeal Hossain and Hayden Walsh will play a key role against the naive Dutch batters. While Hossain is an economical bowler, Walsh is reputed for his wily leg-break bowling.
Match Preview
West Indies and the Netherlands have squared off only twice, with the former winning both games. Although both teams are relatively inexperienced, the West Indies players at least have the exposure of playing in different T20 leagues across the globe. The home team will have to punch well above their weight to stun the tourists.
Time: May 31, 2 PM IST
