Cricket: Netherlands vs West Indies
3 Match One Day International Series
betxchange.com odds:
Series Winner:
The Northern Hemisphere summer is slowly starting to take shape and the Netherlands will host the West Indies in what should be a thrilling series in the Dutch capital.
Whilst certainly not a cricketing stronghold, the Netherlands have developed into one of the ICC’s most prominent emerging nations in recent years and opportunities like this to test themselves against the elite sides in world cricket, are few and far between.
Test playing status will be next on the agenda for the Netherlands and they will know that any sort of result in this series will do their chances of achieving that aim, no harm at all.
For the West Indies meanwhile, they will be looking to rotate their squad, with many big names playing in both the IPL and the T20 Blast, giving some fringe players a chance to impress on the international stage.
Team Previews
Netherlands
Having put in a few decent performances against New Zealand in their last ODI series, the Netherlands will once again be looking to test themselves here. They will know all of the threats the West Indies pose and the fact that they are the heavy favourites to win the series, but the Dutch could relish playing with no pressure on their backs. Captain Pieter Seelaar is integral to all that the Netherlands do and he will be looking for support from the likes of Max O’Dowd and Bas de Leede if the oranges are to cause a serious upset over the next three games.
West Indies
Not having a full squad at their disposal, could actually be useful for the West Indies here, with plenty of players on the periphery looking to get some first XI action. Nicholas Pooran will captain the side, in what should be a great learning experience for him and one that he is expected to relish in. Shai Hope and Kyle Mavers are both players with proven international pedigree and they will be expected to do the lion’s share of the run scoring, with the likes of Hayden Walsh Jr and Alzarri Joseph spearheading an exciting bowling attack.
Series Betting Tips
Top Run Scorer in Series – Shai Hope – 4/1
It has been a relatively stop, start international career so far for Shai Hope but he has put big runs on the board before in the Northern Hemisphere and conditions should suit.
Top Bowler in the Series: Alzarri Joseph – 4/1
With pace to burn, Alzarri Joseph should trouble the Dutch batsmen throughout the series, and he will be keen to establish himself in this West Indian ODI side.
West Indies to win the series – 1/9
The Netherlands need to be tested against sides such as the West Indies and playing at home will be somewhat of a leveller, but the West Indies side is strong enough to secure a solid series win here.
Best Bet
West Indies to win the series 3-0 – 10/11
One day internationals are always hotly contested at the top end of the game and the prospect of two hugely talented sides facing off is always appealing. The Netherlands will benefit from being able to play at home, with decent quality running throughout their ranks in the 50 over format but the West Indies are proven at this level and with some players having something to prove too, they look to be worthy favourites to win the three game series comfortably.
