Wisden
Pool A - 2003 World Cup

England v Holland

At East London, February 16, 2003. England won by six wickets. Toss: England. One-day international debut: N. A. Statham.

Game but outgunned, Holland paid for England's pent-up frustrations. While this was the tournament's 13th match, the boycott of Zimbabwe meant it was England's first, and they began it desperate to forget the politicking and get on with the cricket. Faced with an undemanding target, Trescothick, over-eager to assert, was soon bowled on the charge, but Knight and Vaughan then did much as they pleased before both played unseemly shots against van Bunge, a part-time leg-spinner. Earlier, England's bowlers had performed a thoroughly professional dissection of Holland's top order. Anderson bowled ten overs off the reel, grabbed the first four wickets and displayed an old-fashioned consistency of line and length. From 31 for five, the patient de Leede kept England in the field for the remaining 33 overs - Hussain later admitted he was relieved to get the extra practice.

Man of the Match: J. M. Anderson. Attendance: 4,840.

© John Wisden & Co