Sarah Bryce Guides Scotland to Nine-Wicket Win Over Netherlands

Scotland swept past the Netherlands by nine wickets in Stirling to level their women’s one-day international series at 1-1. BBC Sport reported that the rain-affected second ODI was reduced to 32 overs per side, with the hosts reaching a target of 130 in only 16.2 overs. The result reversed Scotland’s heavy defeat in the series opener and kept the contest alive.

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The Netherlands made 129-9 after early strikes left their innings in trouble. Darcy Carter dismissed openers Phebe Molkenboer and Sanya Khurana, the pair who had shared a stand of more than 150 in the teams’ previous meeting. Abtaha Maqsood then claimed two wickets in quick succession as the visitors slipped to 39-4, preventing their top order from establishing another major partnership.

Babette de Leede gave the Dutch innings its main source of resistance, scoring 58 before being run out. Caroline de Lange added 20, but Scotland kept the total within reach. Maqsood struck three times in all and finished with 3-20, while Carter returned 2-18. Wicketkeeper Sarah Bryce also contributed two catches behind the stumps.

Scotland’s chase suffered an immediate setback when Maryam Faisal was dismissed after four balls. There was no further breakthrough for the Netherlands, however, as Bryce and Carter put together the partnership that completed a commanding victory. Bryce was captaining Scotland in her sister’s absence and led the reply with an unbeaten 70, while Carter finished 33 not out.

Bryce sealed the result with her 11th boundary. The Netherlands’ bowling also helped Scotland advance quickly, with 17 wides delivered across 16 overs. The result was another decisive contest after the Dutch had won the opening match in Glasgow by 58 runs on Friday, leaving the teams with one emphatic victory apiece.

The Stirling fixture had originally been scheduled for Sunday before weather intervened, and the teams eventually played after another wet morning at the venue. With each side now holding one victory, the series will be decided when Scotland and the Netherlands meet again at the same ground on Tuesday.