Flower blooms for Zimbabwe

BULAWAYO: Andy Flower put his troubles behind him by hitting a brisk 71 at Queens Sports Club yesterday, setting up a 99-run win for Zimbabwe over the Netherlands in their Cricket World Cup Group “A” match.

The left-handed Flower, who has been criticised by cricketing authorities for his on-field protests against human rights abuses in Zimbabwe, only passed a fitness test on a groin strain 24 hours before the match. But his controlled 72-ball knock, backed by a whirlwind 58 from Andy Blignaut and a late blast by captain Heath Streak, guided Zimbabwe to 301 for eight from their 50 overs to keep alive their hopes of qualifying for the Super Sixes. The target was always going to be too stiff for the Dutch part-timers, despite a positive approach by their openers that was maintained by Luuk van Troost (26 off 25 balls), Daan van Bunge (37) and skipper Roland Lefebvre (30).

The Netherlands posted their highest total of the tournament, batting through the full 50 overs to finish on 202 for nine. “I think it was a pretty positive effort by us,” said Lefebvre. “Unfortunately, the Zim score was a few too many runs for us, even though it was the best wicket I’ve seen so far in the tournament. “It was a tough day for us in the field, but I think we showed our fighting spirit. But all credit to them, they played very well. Streak, named “Man of the Match” for his 22-ball 44 and a bowling return of one for 36 in 10 overs, was delighted with his team’s performance. Zimbabwe have to beat Pakistan in their final group match in Bulawayo on Tuesday if they are to qualify for the Super Sixes for the second World Cup in a row.

Flower, who wore a white wristband symbolising peace for the second match in a row, might have gone for four in the 13th over, but van Bunge at slip could not hold on to a sharp chance to his left off seamer Tim de Leede. Mark Vermeulen and Flower shared in a second-wicket stand of 58 before Vermeulen dragged a wide delivery from seamer Feiko Kloppenburg on to his stumps to be bowled for 27. Guy Whittall helped Flower add a further 53 for the third wicket before hoisting a ball from Kloppenburg to mid-wicket, where Zuiderent made good ground to scoop the catch centimeters above the turf. Opening bowler Edgar Schiferli returned to remove Flower, whose loose drive went straight to backward point in the 35th over. Flower faced 72 balls and hit seven fours but, after reaching his second fifty of the tournament, he seemed hampered by his groin problem.