London: Cricket's rich history of thrilling upsets was given another chapter as Netherlands sensationally beat England by four wickets in the opening match of the ICC World Twenty20 at Lord's.

Needing seven off the last over Ryan ten Doeschate and Edgar Schiferli ran for their lives and with two needed off the last delivery, Stuart Broad missed a run-out from his follow through and the resulting overthrow set off wild scenes of celebration

Earlier, The opening ceremony was cancelled, the sky was grey and Kevin Pietersen was missing from the England line-up, but the ICC World Twenty20 spluttered into life at Lord's as the hosts reached 162 for 5 against Netherlands.

Luke Wright continued his good form with 71 off 49 balls, and formed an opening stand of 102 with Ravi Bopara, although Netherlands did well to keep England to a reasonable total as they held their nerve with the ball.

When Wright and Bopara were in full flow England were on target for something approaching 200, but they lost 5 for 51 during the second half of the innings and missed the hitting power of Pietersen - ruled out with a recurrence of his Achilles injury - as Netherlands gave a good account of themselves. The only blemishes in the field were a couple of misfields by Daan van Bunge and a tough drop by left-arm spinner Pieter Seelaar when Wright crunched one straight back at him.

Tom de Grooth was named Man-of-the-Match, and that just about wraps up our coverage

Brief Score: Netherlands 163 for 6 (de Grooth 49, Borren 30, Anderson 3-23) beat England 162 for 5 (Wright 71, Bopara 46) by four wickets