Cricket fans worldwide witnessed an exceptional game of cricket as Dutch cricketer Logan van Beek’s heroic performance in the super over led Netherlands to a remarkable victory over the West Indies. This defeat marks the West Indies’ second consecutive loss in the ICC Men’s World Cup Qualifier held in Harare.
Logan van Beek, originally from Christchurch and also a former New Zealand representative at the World U-19 Basketball Championships in 2009, proved to be the key player. He scored 30 runs with the bat and conceded only eight runs with the ball in the super over, leading his team to a victory. This win secured the Netherlands’ second-place finish in Group A and earned them two valuable points for the Super Six stage.
Van Beek’s impressive performance in the super over deserves special mention as he hit every ball to the boundary, setting a new all-time record of scoring 30 runs in a super over with three fours and three sixes. This remarkable feat contributed to the Netherlands’ famous win over the West Indies, coming after their extraordinary run chase of 374/9 to tie the match.
The Netherlands achieved their highest-ever score in ODI history with 374 runs, but they needed another record to secure the victory. Jason Holder of the West Indies became the unfortunate bowler to face Van Beek’s exceptional display of batting skills. Van Beek hit four, six, four, six, six, and four consecutively, making history in Harare.
The match in Harare was a thrilling encounter, with both the Netherlands and the West Indies finishing with 374 runs from their 50 overs. It was at this point that Van Beek took center stage. After getting dismissed on the final ball of the regular innings for a 14-ball 28, the all-rounder seized the opportunity to shine in the super over, hitting three sixes and three fours against Jason Holder’s bowling.
Holder had previously taken an excellent catch to dismiss Van Beek, which forced the tie, but Van Beek then turned the tables by removing Johnson Charles and Romario Shepherd with consecutive balls after his remarkable batting performance.