O'Dowd Leads Netherlands to Record Run Chase in CWC League 2

The Netherlands chased down a 370-run target to defeat Scotland at Cricket World Cup League 2 in Dundee, overshadowing a historic innings from opener George Munsey.

Munsey delivered one of the most dominant performances in Associate ODI history, smashing 191 off 150 deliveries. His knock, laced with 14 fours and 11 sixes, not only eclipsed Paul Stirling’s long-standing record of 177 for an Associate nation but also set the new benchmark for the highest individual score in the six-year history of the League 2 format. 

Max O’Dowd answered with a masterclass of his own, anchoring the Netherlands' chase with an unbeaten 158 from 130 balls. He sealed the win with a six in the 100th over, capping off one of the most dramatic finishes the competition has seen.

“Chasing 370 is no easy task,” O’Dowd said after the match. “But I just wanted to stay there till the end and trust the plan.”

O’Dowd found support through the innings, notably from Teja Nidamanuru, who added a measured 51, and Noah Croes, whose blistering 50 off 29 balls shifted momentum firmly in the Dutch camp. Together, the pair added 37 runs in four overs during the final push, before Croes departed with 14 still needed. Roelof van der Merwe then calmly rotated the strike to allow O’Dowd to finish the job.

The result sees the Netherlands climb to 28 points, alongside the USA at the top of the League 2 table, although the Dutch have played four more matches. Scotland and Oman trail with 20 points, each having several games in hand.