England defeated the Netherlands by 232 runs at the VRA Ground in Amstelveen in the opening of a three-match ODI series on Friday (June 17). They scored 498 runs in the contest, the highest total ever in an ODI. The wicket suited the batters, as English batters took an aggressive approach to demolish the Dutch bowling line-up. Let’s take a look at the first match report of the ENG v NED 2022 series as well as the top five highest ODI team scores so far.
England vs Netherlands First ODI 2022: Match report
Netherlands captain Pieter Seelaar had no idea that England would put up such a spectacular batting effort after putting them to bat first in the opening match. Three English batters made hundreds in this match, and Jos Buttler had 200 strike rates off them. The Dutch got off to a good start by dismissing Jason Roy in the second over. However, that was the only wicket the hosts managed to capture in the first innings.
Phil Salt and Dawid Malan put England on the right track with a 222-run second-wicket partnership. Their partnership took the total to 223 runs in 29.4 overs. The Netherlands were looking to make a comeback after Logan Van Beek dismissed Salt (122) in the 30th over. However, their hope was dashed as Dawid Malan and Jos Buttler’s stunning partnership startled local fans.
A 184-run third wicket partnership between Malan (125) and Buttler came in just 89 deliveries and took the total to 407 within the 45th over. Jos Buttler reached the three-figure mark in just 47 deliveries during the partnership, the second fastest century by an English batter.
England were even more aggressive in the last five overs thanks to some unbelievable power-hitting by Liam Livingstone. England scored 84 runs in the final five overs of the innings, in which Livingstone made 66 off just 22 balls. He reached his fifty in just 17 balls, the fastest half-century by an English batter. Top scorer Jos Buttler remained unbeaten with 162* off 70 deliveries. England finished their innings on 498/4 and set up a new world record.
The Netherlands’ main target was to minimize the margin of defeat, and they tried their best to achieve that. The Dutch side were bowled out for 266 runs in 49.4 overs and lost the contest by 232 runs. Scott Edwards was the best of the batters. He played some good strokes in the middle and was unbeaten with 72* off 56 balls. Moeen Ali picked up the first three wickets for England.
England rules in highest Team-total records in ODI
In the ODI format, England have the top three highest innings totals and have twice beaten their own record to create a new world record. England scored 444/3 against Pakistan at Trent Bridge in Nottingham in 2016, breaking Sri Lanka’s 443/9 record. England eventually won the match by 169 runs. Two years later, in 2018, England set a new world record by scoring 481/6 against Australia at the same venue. They defeated Australia by 242 runs in that contest, their biggest victory margin in ODI cricket. England smashed their own record by amassing 498 runs at the VRA Ground in Amstelveen against the Netherlands on Friday.
Bottom Line
ENG v NED 1st ODI 2022 again proved that England have more power hitters than any other country. England have three of the top five highest ODI team scores, indicating that they have evolved into a more aggressive side than they were a few years ago. That is why England can crush any team in the world on their best days. England were able to win the 2019 World Cup by changing their batting style to limited overs cricket. They will dethrone Bangladesh as the top team in the 2022–2023 ICC Cricket World Cup Super League points table, if they win the series.
Source: United News of Bangladesh