News, Chennai – First night match of this T20 World Cup and, after a brief chat under the lights, Netherlands captain Scott Edwards decided to bowl first against the United States. Simple call, he said, as his side “quite likes” knowing what they’re chasing.
Only one tweak for the Dutch. Right-arm seamer Kyle Klein replaces Timm van der Gugten, a straight swap after van der Gugten’s two expensive overs against Namibia. Klein featured in the opener when the Dutch pushed Pakistan all the way, so he slides straight back in.
USA, facing a must-win, changed three. Fast bowler Ali Khan has recovered from the sore side that kept him out of the India fixture and rejoins. Middle-order batter Saiteja Mukkamalla and left-arm spinner Nosthush Kenjige also return, meaning Andries Gous, Ehsan Adil and Saurabh Netravalkar sit this one out.
Captain Monank Patel stressed that his top order has to give itself a look before swinging for the fences. “We’ve spoken about those first ten balls,” he admitted yesterday – not rocket science, but vital in conditions that can grip.
At the toss Ian Bishop remarked it felt “quite chilly”, the thermometer stuck around 24 °C with a bit of evening moisture likely. That could tempt both sides into holding the slower ball a touch longer – expect plenty of cutters.
Teams
United States: Monank Patel (c), Shayan Jahangir (wk), Saiteja Mukkamalla, Milind Kumar, Sanjay Krishnamurthi, Shubham Ranjane, Harmeet Singh, Mohammad Mohsin, Shadley van Schalkwyk, Nosthush Kenjige, Ali Khan.
Netherlands: Michael Levitt, Max O’Dowd, Bas de Leede, Colin Ackermann, Scott Edwards (c, wk), Zach Lion-Cachet, Logan van Beek, Aryan Dutt, Roelof van der Merwe, Kyle Klein, Fred Klaassen.
Two points already in the bank for the Netherlands; zero room for error for the USA. Fielding first, the Dutch back their bowlers under lights, while the Americans hope fresh legs – and Ali Khan’s yorkers – keep them alive.
