Secret weapon behind Netherlands stunning South Africa upset

A cricket minnow needed all the help it could get at the Cricket World Cup en route to a stunning upset victory.

In a Cricket World Cup underlined by upsets, Netherlands pulled off the biggest shock to date overnight.

Just six days after South Africa crushed Australia by 134 runs, the Dutch turned around and stunned the Proteas.

We’re not sure exactly what that means for the Aussies, probably best not to think about it.

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What has come to light is a key, albeit old fashioned, tactic the Dutch used to help get them over the line in Dharamshala.

A match interrupted by poor weather featured the men in orange hitting a competitive 8/245 from their 43 allotted overs.

No. 7 wicketkeeper-batsman Scott Edwards - who was born in Tonga and holds Dutch and Australian citizenship - led the way with 78 runs from 69 balls.

Netherlands’ secret weapon in the stunning upset against South Africa. Photo: Twitter

In reply, the South Africans struggled to develop partnerships and were bowled out for just 207 with one ball remaining in their innings.

Logan van Beek led the way with 3/60 from 8.5 overs and eagle-eyed fans watching on noticed him holding a piece of paper whenever a South African batter came to the crease.

It turns out the paper had information on each Proteas player.

To be honest, Netherlands are putting so much efforts. Everytime a new batsmen enters the field, they have their paper with the homework out, read the strategy, try to implement it. Their dedication towards the game is appreciable.❤Long way to go Netherlands.#SAvNED#SAvsNEDpic.twitter.com/Ah7UWk2iAV

— 𝐆𝐲𝐚𝐧𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐫𝐚 𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐡 (@Gyan84s) October 17, 2023

Lightning has happened at #Dharmashala Man of the match is piece of paper.#Netherlands wonby 38 runs.

— Jeetendra@legalmetrology (@Jeetendralegal1) October 17, 2023

The Netherlands pulling out a piece of paper to revisit their strategy, after every new batsman comes in is the cutest thing I have seen in cricket for a long time.

— Pratik Jiwane (@pratik_jiwane18) October 17, 2023

“We do a fair bit of research,” said Edwards, the Dutch skipper who claimed player of the match honours.

“We come up with a few match-ups. Some days it works and some days it doesn’t.”

Following the Netherlands dumping South Africa from the T20 World Cup in Adelaide last year, the Europeans have dealt another potentially huge blow to their hopes in India.

The result was also a boost to Australia and England.

Forget about the upset, we Pakistan need that piece of paper against the Australia
#SAvsNED#PakvsAus#Dharamshala#Netherlands#SAvNED#Upset#Cwc23pic.twitter.com/AOHBOSSrH8

— Mohammad Adress (@Badalta_World) October 17, 2023

Mitch Marsh’s Aussies have already suffered defeats to South Africa and India, followed by a crucial five-wicket win over Sri Lanka.

They have group matches to come against Pakistan, these Dutchmen, New Zealand, England, Afghanistan and Bangladesh in the drawn out group phase.

None of them can be taken lightly judging by results to date.

On top of the Dutch victory over South Africa, Afghanistan also enjoyed a stunning 69-run triumph over England on Sunday.

We’ll be watching for that tell-tale paper when Australia face the Dutch on October 25.

Originally published as Secret weapon behind Netherlands stunning South Africa upset