Bulawayo: Andy Flower smashed an impressive 71 as Zimbabwe made 301 for eight off its 50 overs against The Netherlands on Friday to deliver the perfect response to selectors who had consigned fellow anti-government protestor Henry Olonga to the international wilderness. Flower made 71 off 72 balls, Andy Blignaut followed up his 54 against Australia with another quick fire 58 off 38 balls while skipper Heath Streak clattered 44 off 22 before being dismissed off the last ball. Flower's impressive knock followed the 62 he made against Australia and kept his team on track for the victory it need if it is to stay in contention for the Super Sixes. On the field at the Queens Sports Club, Feiko Kloppenburg took two for 40 off his 10 overs, helped by a fine diving catch by Bas Zuiderent in the deep to dismiss Guy Whittall for 30 and reduce the home side to 135 for three in the 30th over. The medium-pacer also clean-bowled Mark Vermeulen, who had replaced the injured Grant Flower, for 27 while Jacob Esmeijer caught Andy Flower off Edgar Schiferli in the 35th over just as the left-hander was threatening to cut loose. Blignaut upped the scoring rate hitting seven boundaries before he was caught by Kloppenburg off Schiferli. But Streak and Dion Ebrahim hit valuable late runs against a Dutch side who used seven bowlers. Copyright AFP 2001

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Netherlands captain elects to bowl against Zimbabwe

Tags: cricket, andy flower, zimbabwe vs the netherlands, henry olonga, andy blignaut, zimbabwe skipper heath streak, feiko kloppenburg, bas zuiderent, guy whittall, mark vermeulen, grant flower, jacob esmeijer, edgar schiferli, dion ebrahim specials, specials_news, specials_2003.