Levitt leads Netherlands to comfortable win over Scotland

In a high-scoring match on Wednesday in the T20I tri-series in Glasgow, opener Michael Levitt's easy 90 helped Netherlands defeat Scotland by 17 runs. After being asked to bat, his 57-ball innings helped the Netherlands reach 198 for 7. In reply, Scotland managed only 181 for 9 on the back of Brandon McMullen's half-century and Michael Leask's quickfire 46. Netherlands lost Max O'Dowd and Teja Nidamanuru inside the powerplay but it was the 75-run third-wicket partnership off 45 balls between Levitt and Scott Edwards that steered Netherlands to a competitive total. While Levitt, who had scored a T20I century before, smashed six fours and five sixes in his knock, Edwards chipped in with a 21-ball 31. Fast bowler Charlie Cassell broke the threatening stand, trapping Edwards lbw in the 13th over. Fast bowler Jasper Davidson bowled out Levitt after three overs. There were also handy lower-order contributions from Ryan Klein and Roelof van der Merwe that ensured Netherlands had enough on the board. In the chase, Scotland stumbled early, when opener Mark Watt was run out in the third over for a 9-ball 6. However, Scotland were briefly revived by a 50-run partnership between No. 3 McMullen and George Munsey for the third wicket. Offspinner Nidamanuru gave the breakthrough by ending Musney's stay in the eighth over and dismissed captain Richie Berrington in his next over. Scotland were in trouble when McMullen also fell after scoring a 51 off 27 balls. While No. 6 Leask stood up with his 46 off 23 - where he struck five sixes and one four - Scotland kept losing wickets regularly on the other end. Scotland finished at 181 for 9 after losing four wickets for 30 runs from 151 for 5. Netherlands' left-arm spinner Van der Merwe, though leaked 44 runs in his four overs, accounted for two wickets in the 17th and 19th over to halt Scotland. Aryan Dutt and Daniel Doram each took a wicket, and Nidamanuru went 3 for 30 in his four overs. With this victory, Netherlands now has four points from three matches, putting them at the top of the points table. They will face Nepal on Thursday Scotland are second with two points from three matches.