Roach’s hat-trick packs up the Dutch

A Kemar Roach hat-trick guided the West Indies to a huge 215-run win over the Netherlands in a World Cup Group B match at the Feroze Shah Kotla here on Monday.

Roach became the sixth World Cup hat-trick-taker as West Indies bowled out the Dutch for 115 runs in 31.8 overs after setting a 331 run target to win.

A futile and unbeaten 55 from Tom Cooper dragged Netherlands past their lowest-ever ODI total – 80 against West Indies four years ago – in a showing that did themselves, and the beleaguered Associate brand, a total disservice.

Roach bowled consistently around the 90mph and was happy to aim full at the stumps – a tactic shunned by England’s bowlers against the same opposition. Roach picked up Peter Seelar (1), Bernard Loots and Berend Westdjik in succesive deliveries to pacl up the Dutch team.

Though Roach took six the crucial blow was landed by towering left-arm-spinner Sulieman Benn, who picked up Ryan ten Doeschate, the hero against England and the sole player in the side with the quality to mount a challenge.

Earlier in the day, Chris Gayle made a measured 80 but it was Keiron Pollard;s 60 off 27 balls that carried the West Indies out of sight. He blended his immense power with the touch of savvy that has been absent from his 50-over game so far to bring up only his second ODI fifty.