Off-spinner Wessly Madhevere’s hat-trick in the 43rd over completely changed the course of the second One-Day International between Zimbabwe and the Netherlands.
The second innings of the ODI saw drama play out when Zimbabwe was dismissed for 271 in 49.2 overs. The foundation of Zimbabwe’s innings was a 104-run partnership between Clive Madande (77) and Sean Williams (52). Shariz Ahmad led the way for the Netherlands with 5/43, his first five-for in ODI cricket.
Netherlands was at one point cruising toward the goal of 272, with Tom Cooper (74) and Max O’Dowd (81) putting on a tremendous performance. But in the 33rd over, a run-out forced Cooper to leave, and in the 41st over, Sikandar Raza caught O’Dowd.
The Netherlands still had the advantage at the start of the 44th over, needing 59 runs from 42 balls and with seven wickets in hand.
With his first three balls of his over, Madhevere altered the course of the game.
Madande stumped Colin Ackermann, Teja Nidamanuru was out by bowling the following ball, and Paul van Meekeren was dismissed by bowling the third pitch.
As a result, Netherlands went from 213/3 to 213/6, and Madhevere became just the third Zimbabwean to get a hat-trick in an ODI.
Only two other Zimbabwean players have ever scored three goals in an ODI: Eddo Brandes and Prosper Utseya. The hat-trick was essential as Zimbabwe prevailed by a narrow margin.
