06 June,2009 01:33 PM IST | | PTI
The Netherlands pulled off a major upset on the opening day of the Twenty20 World Championships as they shocked hosts England by four wickets in a pulsating Group B match at Lord's here on Friday.
After restricting England 162 for five, the Dutch side, overcame a sluggish start to overhaul the challenging target in the last ball of the match.
They batted with steely resolve to eke out a sensational victory, riding on small but crucial contributions from Tom de Grooth (49) Peter Borren (30) and Ryan Ten Doeschate (22 not out).
Doeschate held his nerves in the dying moments of the edge-of-the-seat clash to steer his side to a memorable win after playing a part with ball too.
Dutch needed seven runs off the last over, bowled by Stuart Broad and romp home in the last ball when Doeschate and Edgar Schiferli ran two.
Grooth, adjudged Man-of-the-Match, had kept his side in the hunt by his brave 30-ball knock and also raised a crucial 50-run partnership with Borren before becoming the victim of rival skipper Paul Collingwood.
The Netherlands bowlers bowled extremely well in the second half of the England innings, nullifying the brilliant work done by their openers Ravi Bopara and Luke Wright.
