ESPNcricinfo Awards 2023 Associate batting winner: Bas de Leede races the clock
The allrounder's first ODI century came in a match they needed to win in a hurry
In what could be called a "Basball" performance, de Leede almost singlehandedly propelled Netherlands to the 2023 ODI World Cup. He took a five-wicket haul in the first innings, but Scotland still managed to reach 277 for 9 from their 50 overs. For Netherlands to go past Scotland's net run rate and qualify for the main event in India, they needed to achieve the target in 44 overs.
Key moment
When Netherlands needed 45 from four overs, de Leede decided to cut loose, smashing his next nine balls for 6, 6, 1, 2, 6, 2, 2, 6, 2 to change the state of the game.The numbers
What they said
- Bas de Leede
The closest contender
28 and 30 not out vs West Indies, ODI World Cup Qualifier, Harare
Netherlands were chasing a mammoth 375 and van Beek entered the fray with 50 needed off 26 balls. He took Roston Chase for two fours and a six in the 49th over to help Netherlands enter the final over needing nine to win, and when the innings ended on a tie, he returned to bat in the Super Over, whacking Jason Holder for three fours and three sixes. In reply, West Indies could only manage only eight runs and they failed to qualify for the ODI World Cup for the first time in their history.
Ashish Pant is a sub-editor with ESPNcricinfo