Just how briskly the night time adjustments: van Meekeren had labored as a delivery agent in November 2020, when the T20 World Cup was cancelled attributable to Covid-19.
| Photo Credit: MOORTHY RV
This could also be an period of brief consideration span and fading recollections, however social media has its personal manner of remembering. On Tuesday, whilst the cricketing world was nonetheless coming to phrases with Netherlands’ sensational win over South Africa in the World Cup, the on-line world dug out the rags-to-riches story of Dutch pacer Paul van Meekeren.
In November 2020, when the T20 World Cup was initially slated to be held in Australia however was cancelled due to Covid, van Meekeren was working as a delivery agent for meals ordering firm Uber Eats. “Should’ve been playing cricket today, now I’m delivering Uber eats to get through the winter months!! Funny how things change… hahaha… keep smiling people,” the burly van Meekeren had posted on-line.
Three years on, the Amsterdam native was one in every of the stars of the victory over Temba Bavuma’s males, bowling 9 overs for 40 runs and selecting up two wickets, together with the prized scalp of Aiden Markram who was castled by a ball that nipped again in.
“In the innings break there was a clear message about bowling cross seams,” a jubilant van Meekeren instructed reporters in the blended zone. “We felt the wicket was a bit two-paced. And we knew we had to start well because their [South Africa’s] top-six had a lot of firepower. But from seven onwards, we felt there’s a real weakness.”
“If you get the opportunity to open up one end, you have to take it. We didn’t do that against Pakistan in the first game but here we just didn’t hold back.”
Street sensible
Compared to the 9 different nations competing in India, Netherlands will not be blessed with eye-popping expertise. But what it lacks in star energy, it makes up with sheer workforce effort and a few street-smart cricket. Against the Proteas, No. 9 batter Roelof van der Merwe and No. 10 Aryan Dutt had been the second and third-highest run-getters behind skipper Scott Edwards.
“I think I’m the only player who’s not in the batting meeting,” stated a grinning van Meekeren, who bats at No. 11. “But we know we’ve got that firepower all the way [down]. You saw Aryan at No. 10 hitting some big bombs.
“We bat deep but weren’t able to set that platform in the first two games.
“Maybe a bit of rustiness or World Cup fever. But we are getting into that rhythm of playing big teams and doing the right things for longer.” With extra performances like Tuesday’s, the world will want no reminding of van Meekeren and his teammates.
