THAILAND RETURN TO WINNING WAYS TO TAKE A 2-1 LEAD IN T20I SERIES

Thailand Women were looking to put in a strong performance after being beaten by Netherlands Women in the second T20I and they were sharp in the field  in the third match as they kept the visitors to a total of 73 for 7 in 19 overs but it took the batters until the final over to secure victory by five wickets after a collapse from 43 for 0. Thailand took a 2-1 series lead.

The 3rd T20I at Royals was delayed by the effects of heavy overnight rain after the start had been brought foward to 10.00am but thanks to an hour’s extra time being available when play got underway at 11.15 am we still had a 19-over match between two sides level on 1-1 in the four-match series.

Thailand won the toss and chose to bowl first and were clearly looking to put a poor performance in the field in the 2nd T20I behind them. Nattaya Boochatham again struck in her first over as Heather Siegers was caught at mid-off and Babette de Leede was run out in the same over so with Netherlands 2 for 2 in 2 overs there was already pressure on Sterre Kalis to repeat her match-winning innings from two days ago but it was not to be as Netherlands managed only 12 runs in the powerplay.

Kalis had only scored 4 runs off 21 balls at the end of 10 overs when Netherlands were 30 for 2 and although she was able to up the tempo with two fours she was out lbw to Nattaya for 17 playing the reverse sweep to leave Netherlands five down with the score on 53. Nattaya finished with figures of 2 for 3 in 3 overs and Thipatcha, Onnicha and Suleeporn all took one wicket in their four overs for less than 20 runs apiece. With Chanida bowling an opening spell of 3-1-7-0 and Thailand gaining two run outs in the field Netherlands were restricted to 73 for 7 in 19 overs.

All seemed to be going to plan as the Thailand openers looked to put their team on course for a comfortable victory as they both hit boundaries in the powerplay as the score was 26 after six overs and they moved onto 43 without loss after 10 overs. But Thailand made heavy weather of the chase once both openers were out as Nannapat Khoncaroenkai was caught at mid-off from the bowling of Eva Lynch for 21 off 32 balls and Natthakan Chantham was caught behind off Silver Siegers for the same score.

Chanida was run out for just two and although Suleeporn Laomi and Rosenanee Kanoh both hit a pair of boundaries each they were dismissed before Thailand reached the winning score. Netherlands managed to extend the match into the last over but Sornnarin Tippoch was able to hit a full toss for the winning run of the first ball.

Leg-spinnr Silver Sigers took 1 for 12 in 4 overs and off-spinner Eva Lunch 1 for 16 and medium pacer Hannah Landheer took 2 wickets in 2 overs but Thailand managed to win by five wickets with five balls to spare to take a 2-1 lead in the series with the 4th match due to be played on Saturday. Nattaya Boochatham was named player of the match for her figures of 2 for 3.