Struggling West Indies run into daring Dutch

Fallen giants West Indies must overcome the shattering loss of key all-rounder Dwayne Bravo when they tackle the Netherlands in a crucial World Cup clash on Monday.

Bravo, a veteran of 110 internationals, suffered a left knee injury while bowling in the opening clash against South Africa on Thursday which the West Indies went on to lose by seven wickets at the Feroz Shah Kotla ground.

He will miss the rest of the tournament and the West Indies will summon a replacement player.

Bravo's injury could not have come at a worse time for a team which is already showing signs of disintegrating barely a few days into the tournament.

West Indies were largely expected to lose to the stronger South Africa but it was the manner of their defeat that rankled their fans the most.

They looked easily capable of putting up a total closer to 300 after promising knocks by Darren Bravo, Devon Smith and Dwayne Bravo but threw it away all, thanks to some reckless shots.

"We had guys getting starts and none of us carried on," said captain Darren Sammy. "That's where we lost out. At 41 overs, we were 201 and our all-rounders were still there.

"We had (Kieron) Pollard, (Dwayne) Bravo and myself, we could have got to 270. We created opportunities but we didn't capitalise on them."

The West Indies can hardly afford another slip-up when they take on the Dutch in the day-night match at the same venue which appears to have passed its sternest test by playing true till the end during Thursday's game.

The ground is coming off a 12-month suspension after a one-day international between India and Sri Lanka was abandoned in December 2009 due to a dangerous playing surface.

The rag-tag Netherlands team proved their grit despite having just four professionals in the squad when they gave England a mighty scare in their opening match in Nagpur.

Led by an attacking 110-ball 119 from Essex all-rounder Ryan ten Doeschate, the Irish racked up 292-6 before England scraped to victory with just eight balls to spare.

"The England game was a good experience," ten Doeschate said on Saturday. "The whole game was quite enjoyable.

"It will be difficult to replicate the batting but if we manage to do that we would probably look at ourselves as a better team. We know that we have to perform better with the ball as well."

Ten Doeschate, who also picked up two wickets in the match, said the key for his team will be to contain aggressive West Indies opener Chris Gayle.

Gayle had a forgettable outing on Thursday, making just two and giving away 26 runs off six wicketless overs and will be desperate to make amends against the Netherlands.

"Containing Gayle is going to be a key task. We will put in place a plan and work towards playing a good game of cricket."