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Express fast bowler Kemar Roach claimed a hat-trick yesterday evening against Netherlands at the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium in Delhi to become only the sixth bowler in World Cup history to achieve this rare feat. Roach claimed six wickets in all as Netherlands chasing 331 were skittled out for 115 in 31.3 overs in the Group B match against West Indies.
West Indies who were put into bat first by the Dutch were powered to 330 for 8. Openers Devon Smith (53 from 51 balls with 9 fours) and Chris Gayle (80 from 110 balls with 7 fours and 2 sixes) laid the foundation with a century stand. Ramnaresh Sarwan chipped in with 49 from 42 balls and Kieron Pollard made merry blasting 60 from just 27 balls with 5 fours and 4 sixes. Pollard’s fifty had come in 23 balls for the record. Left arm spinner Pieter Seelar managed to get superb figures of 10-1-45-3 despite all the carnage.
In their run chase, Netherlands were shaken up at the top by Kemar Roach and Sulieman Benn. Their innings came to a rapid finish with Kemar Roach removing Pieter Seelar, Bernard Loots and last man Berend Westdijk to claim a hat-trick. Sulieman Benn who opened the bowling attack yet again with his left arm spin took three wickets which included that of Ryan ten Doeschate who had scored a superd century against England few days back. There was a bright knock from no.3 Tom Cooper for the Dutch as he remained unbeaten on 55 from 72 balls with 9 fours. Cooper got help from Mudassar Bhukari (24 from 42 balls) in a 57-run stand for the 7th wicket which ensured that the Dutch got atleast to the three figures.
Roach got the Man of the Match for the obvious reasons. This was West Indies’ first win of the tournament having played two matches so far.