Siegers’ century the highlight as Netherlands wallop Germany by 202 runs

Geographical neighbours and historical foes met at the Hazelaarweg Stadion in Rotterdam today as The Netherlands hosted Germany in the European Division One Qualifier for next year’s T20 World Cup. In a wind-swept field beneath the flightpath of Rotterdam Airport, it was Germany who struck first, Asmita Kohli winning the toss and inviting the hosts to bat.

What then followed, however, was a total dismantling of Germany by a ruthless and powerful Netherlands team. Phebe Molkenboer contributed the lion’s share of the runs in a dominant opening half of the innings, in which she shared 116 runs with Heather Siegers. 

Once Molkenboer had departed, trapped lbw by Antonia Meyenborg, it was Siegers who took the initiative, belligerently hammering her way to 106 from 55 balls, reaching her century in the final over. It would be fair to say that the German bowlers were made to suffer. Iris Edwards was probably the pick of them, deservedly taking a wicket at the end of her third over, causing the batters occasional problems, but also receiving her fair share of punishing hits from the Dutch batters.

German captain Asmita Kohli had a terrible time with the ball, frequently no-balling by delivering over waist high balls in a first over that went for 20 runs, Inexplicably, she then gave herself a second over, which was even worse, going for 27 runs. Altogether she bowled 5 no balls and a wide in her two overs – a gift to the Dutch, which helped them enormously towards their mammoth total of 255.

In reply, Germany clearly needed to limit the damage rather than go for an unlikely win, especially with the absence of vital all-rounder Tina Gough. Karthika Vijayaraghavan’s patient score of 7 from 31 balls was a valiant attempt to construct a test match innings in a T20 international, and Rameesha Shahid hit their only boundary in her top score of 14 from 15 balls.

The inevitable happened in the 18^th over when Silver Siegers dismissed Ashwini Balaji for 2 and Germany were all out for 53. Netherlands were generous enough to gift 15 wides and 5 byes in this total, something which they need to remedy if they are to defeat more challenging teams on this 2026 World Cup journey. Iris Zwilling was the pick of their bowlers, taking 3 for 6 from her 3 overs.

So much to learn for the Germans as they adapt to the challenges of playing at this higher level and much to celebrate for the Netherlands and for Heather Siegers as she scored her first international hundred.