Roach destroys The Netherlands with career-best figures

West Indies defeated the Netherlands by 215 runs in their group B World Cup match at Feroz Shah Kotla ground here on Monday.

Brief Scores:

West Indies: 330 for eight in 50 overs. (Chris Gayle 80, Kieron Pollard 60, Devon Smith 53; Pieter Seelaar 3/45).

The Netherlands: 115 all out in 31.3 overs, (Tom Kooper 55 not out; Kemar Roach 6/27).

West Indies batting report

The West Indies put up a dominating batting display to post a formidable 330 for eight against the Netherlands in their Group B match here on Monday.

Sent into bat, openers Chris Gayle (80) and Devon Smith (53) laid the foundation for the score with a century stand before Kieron Pollard (60) opened up to register the highest total at the Feroze Shah Kotla ground here.

Gayle, however, remained one short of completing his 8000 runs in ODI cricket to become only the fourth West Indian cricketer to achieve the feat, but he set the tone for the massive total.

Gayle scored 80 of 110 balls, which was studded with seven fours and two sixes, and together with Smith put on a century-run opening partnership and then added another 68 runs with Darren Bravo to lay a solid platform for Pollard to explode.

Pollard, on his part, hit a quick-fire 60 off just 27 balls, which included five fours and four sixes, to set the platform for the Windies who are without a win in their last nine ODIs.

Pollard also shared a 65-run fourth wicket stand with Ramnaresh Sarwan (49).

Pollard’s fabulous knock was marked with hits all around the park which entertained a handful of crowd here. Of his four sixes, a huge hit over the long off brought up his half-century.

For the Netherlands, left-arm spinner Peter Seelar chipped in with three wickets for 45 runs from his allotted 10 overs.