Twitter Reactions: England seal ODI series despite Netherlands' valiant show

Netherlands were once again no match for mighty England as the reigning world champions beat them by six wickets in the second ODI at the VRA Ground, Amstelveen on June 19. The Dutch side yet again failed to make the most of their home conditions as they were completely outplayed by a far superior English outfit in all three departments. With this triumph, Eoin Morgan’s men have taken an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.

It is to be noted that, unlike the previous encounter, England were made to fight hard for their win. After a mammoth 232-run victory by England in the last game where the Three Lions registered a world record ODI score of 498, the visitors looked to clinch the series in style and that is exactly what they did as they gear up to host India in an all-format bilateral series next month. Meanwhile, the second game had to be reduced to 41 overs per side due to a wet outfield.

England nearly survive a scare from the Netherlands

Netherlands skipper Scott Edwards won the toss and elected to bat first. The decision though backfired as the hosts lost their top-order cheaply and were reduced to 36/3 in the 10th over before Bas de Leede and skipper Scott Edwards carried out the rescue act with a 61-run stand for the fourth wicket.

Once Leede was dismissed, Edwards held on firmly from one end and also got some much-needed support from the middle order. The Dutch captain’s innings came to an end due to an unfortunate run-out for a 73-ball 78. Vital knocks from Logan van Beek (30*) and Shane Snater (17*) towards the backend helped the Netherlands post 235/7 in their allotted 50 overs.

In reply, English openers Jason Roy and Phillip Salt ensured a brisk start for the visitors with a 139-run opening stand. Roy scored 73 runs from 60 deliveries while Salt made 77 runs off 54 balls. After the duo was dismissed, skipper Eoin Morgan’s early dismissal put England in a spot of bother.

This was Morgan’s second successive ODI dismissal for a duck. England then went on to lose the wicket of the hard-hitting Liam Livingstone (4) and suddenly, they found themselves tottering at 177/4 and that is when the middle-order duo of Dawid Malan and Moeen Ali took the responsibility of adding finishing touches to this run chase. Malan remained unbeaten on 36 while Ali was not out at 42 as England got over the line in the 37th over.

Here’s how Twitter reacted to England’s ODI series win.