FANTASY
Follow UsScotland are set to break their long wait to return to action with the ODI series against Netherlands, scheduled to begin on Wednesday (May 19). They last played international cricket in December, 2019. Netherlands played their last ODI in June, 2019 but have some match-practice under their belt. They played the tri-nation T20I series in Nepal last month.
In their ODI history, Scotland and Netherlands have faced each other nine time. Scotland have a clear lead with six wins. Strangely, the two have not faced each other in ODIs June, 2011.
Ground Details and Team Combination
Rotterdam’s Hazelaarweg Stadium will host both the ODIs of the series. The ground has previously hosted 10 ODIs before, the last of which took place in 2011. It has largely been a low scoring venue. The only time a team scored in excess of 300 here was in 2007, when Netherlands scored 315 against Bermuda in the first innings ever at the venue. Since then, the highest total at the venue has been 237.
Pacers have taken majority of the wickets here - 72.2 percent of the 79 wickets to fall at this venue. However, the data is outdated since the venue has not hosted ODIs in the last 10 years.
Hence, all-rounders should be the priority alongside top batsmen and new ball bowlers. Scotland have a number of top batsmen in their side while Netherlands carry an inexperienced squad. Although, Scotland lack match practice.
Suggested Team
While you could go for the above team, you also have the option of choosing your own team from Cricket.com’s Fantasy Research Centre. Based on algorithms, we have come up with one team.
Captain Suggestion
Calum Macleod has often showcased his mettle as a world class batsman. His eight hundreds are the most by an associate batsman in ODIs. He has scored them in only 66 ODIs. His highest score of 175 is also the best by an associate batsman.
Macleod has also amassed some big knocks against Test playing nations. In 2018, he scored 157* against Afghanistan and 140* against England. Macleod is an excellent player of spin, which he displayed in those two knocks by dominating spinners like Rashid Khan and Adil Rashid. Though he is a middle-order batsman, Macleod is a great choice to be your captain, especially if Scotland bat first.
Our Criclytics player projector predicts Macleod could score 34-52 runs in this match
X-Factors
Bats primarily at number 5 and he is a handy seam bowler. Scotland’s vice-captain, Richie Berrington is a must pick in your side with the dual role he offers. He has been a decent contributor with the bat, scoring 666 runs since 2018, the third-most by an associate batsman in the time frame. Meanwhile, he has also picked eight wickets with the ball.
Our Criclytics player projector predicts Berrington could score 22-34 runs and pick 0-1 wickets in this match
The right arm medium-pacer, Vivian Kingma has played only three ODIs but he has been around international cricket since 2014. In the recently concluded three-match series between Netherlands A and Ireland Wolves, Kingma was the joint highest wicket-taker for the side, with five wickets in two games. He was man-of-the-match for his spell of 3 / 5 in the second game. Kingma is supposed to open the bowling for Netherlands and can take advantage of the conditions first up as he did against Ireland Wolves.
Our Criclytics player projector predicts Kingma could pick 0-1 wickets in this match
With 64 wickets, Safyaan Sharif is the most prolific bowler in Scotland’s ODI history. Given the unavailability of Josh Davey, Sharif is expected to be the leader of Scotland’s bowling attack in the series. He can also be a handy contributor with the bat, making him a good all-round option for your fantasy XI.
Our Criclytics player projector predicts Sharif could score 10-14 runs and pick 0-1 wickets in this match