Netherlands face Bermuda in crucial ICC Intercontinental Cup tie

Dubai, 21 Nov (UNI) Netherlands takes on Bermuda in the ICC Intercontinental Cup in Pretoria to keep their hopes alive of toppling Canada at the top of the chart.

The Netherlands face Bermuda in the group B encounter amidst apprehension that weather might play spoilsport and knowing fully well that it must register a win to topple Canada, who are sitting pretty with 40 points, having seen off challenges from Bermuda and Kenya with outright wins earlier this year.

The Dutchmen, on the other hand, could only manage a draw against Kenya in their opening match. However, a victory over Bermuda in the South African capital will set up a winner-takes-all affair against Canada in the final match in December at the same venue.

Bermuda's form has been indifferent of late, following a disappointing tour of Kenya and injury to key players.

The ODI between South Africa and India in nearby Johannesburg was washed out on Sunday.

Dutch Coach Peter Cantrell said, '' This is a must-win game for us. We have to get all the points to set up a nice final game in our group against Canada.'' In Group A 2004 champions Scotland sit on top, followed by defending champions Ireland with one game remaining for both. The Scots and Irish both registered convincing outright wins over Namibia earlier in the competition.

The ICC Intercontinental Cup is a first-class competition of four-day cricket, designed to give the leading Associate teams the opportunity to play the longer version of the game.

Teams: Netherlands (from): Luuk van Troost (captain), Bas Zuiderent, Tom de Groot, Eric Szwarczynski, Ryan ten Doeschate, Billy Stelling, Jeroen Smits (wicketkeeper), Mark Jonkman, Peter Borren, Alexei Kervezee, Daan van Bunge, Pieter Seelaar, Muhammed Kashif.

Bermuda (from): Clay Smith (captain), Irving Romaine, Dean Minors (wicketkeeper), Janeiro Tucker, Saleem Mukuddern, Stephen Outerbridge, Hasan Durham, Dwayne Leverock, Ryan Steede, Malachi Jones, Kevin Hurdle, Kwame Tucker, Rodney Trott, Stefan Kelly, David Hemp.

UNI XC SAM VV1130