Bolstered and battle-hardened: Netherlands press for glory in India with strongest squad ever

Scott Edwards (c), Max O'Dowd, Bas de Leede, Vikram Singh, Teja Nidamanuru, Paul van Meekeren, Colin Ackermann, Roelof van der Merwe, Logan van Beek, Aryan Dutt, Ryan Klein, Wesley Barresi, Saqib Zulfiqar, Shariz Ahmad, Sybrand Engelbrecht.

All the squads for ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023

Sixth in Group A (2003), Third in Group A (2007)

With one victory in both their 2003 and 2007 Cricket World Cup efforts, the Dutch finished sixth in a seven-team Group A in 2003, as well as third in a four-team group in 2007.

The Dutch were comfortable winners when they met Namibia at the 2003 tournament, making 314/4 in their 50 overs before restricting the Namibians to 250. Klaas-Jan van Noortwijk’s 134* (129) and Feiko Kloppenburg’s 121 (142) scored in the match remain the highest Dutch individual scores in Cricket World Cup history, and Kloppenburg backed up his efforts with equal-best figures of 4/42 to claim unanimous Player of the Match honours.

Four years later, the Dutch claimed a second win in World Cup action, overcoming familiar foes Scotland.

At one stage pinning Scotland down at 39/5, the Dutch eventually bowled out their opposition for 136 in spite of a rearguard effort from Neil McCallum (24) and No.10 Glenn Rogers (26). Bas Zuiderent (43*) and Ryan ten Doeschate (70*) ensured there were no nerves in the chase in a comfortable eight-wicket win.

(Most recent first): L W W L T (won Super Over) W W L L L

vs Pakistan (6 October), Hyderabad

vs New Zealand (9 October), Hyderabad

vs South Africa (17 October), Dharamsala

vs Sri Lanka (21 October), Lucknow

vs Australia (25 October), Delhi

vs Bangladesh (28 October), Kolkata

vs Afghanistan (03 November), Lucknow

vs England (08 November), Pune

vs India (12 November), Bengaluru

All You Need to Know for the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023

vs Bangladesh (28 October), Kolkata

Irrespective of the results in their first five matches, the Dutch will be in a World Cup flow by the time they meet the Tigers, and should fancy their chances in Kolkata.

Bangladesh have lost seven of their last ten ODIs in the build-up to the tournament (excluding the no-result against New Zealand), and one feels the Dutch outlook would be more positive than their opponents should they both be positioned in the lower half of the table.

The teams did not cross paths on the Super League journey, though the Dutch match up well with their opponents: a middle order with a penchant for playing spin bowling that can carry the team through the middle overs, as well as a canny slow-bowling group of their own that should ask enough questions.

The Dutch also have success historically in the 50-over format against their opponents, beating them in a neutral Glasgow meeting back in 2010.

Not only was 2023 squad member Wesley Barresi a member of the victorious side, he was the man of the hour, hitting 64* from just 43 balls to chase down 200 in a rain-shortened 30-over affair.

The Dutch also played at Eden Gardens at the 2011 Cricket World Cup, making 306 against Ireland, though were chased down in 47.4 overs.

Bas de Leede

A T20 World Cup Qualifier standout, a T20 World Cup breakout, a Cricket World Cup Qualifier star, and now a Cricket World Cup dangerman? It’s been a prolific two years for the 23-year-old, who could win even more fans with a strong showing in India.

It proved tough sledding while turning out for the Dutch as a teenager, but the faith shown in him has been repaid handsomely. A clever batter with all the shots and capable of clearing the rope, the youngster can also reach 140 kph with his seam, and has been described by former Dutch coach (now his Durham boss) Ryan Campbell as the best fielder in Europe.

Since the start of The Netherlands’ Super League series with England in June 2022, de Leede averages over 42 with the bat, going along with his 20 wickets in his last eight One Day Internationals.

On top of half-centuries against England and Pakistan, it was the business end of the Qualifier which provided the stage for De Leede to demonstrate all his qualities. Taking 5/52 and making 123 (92) to send the Dutch to a World Cup, de Leede became just the fifth person to take five wickets and score a century in the same One Day International.

Stealing a Super Over victory over the West Indies and brushing aside Scotland in a rapid-fire run chase to qualify, many will feel the Dutch are a Cinderella story already, though for Scott Edwards’ side they’ll be hoping the fairytale has barely begun.

To their credit, the squad in orange have the ability and depth to write their own story. The 15-player group is arguably stronger than their Qualifier group, with the addition of several players previously tied up on English County duty now available.

Colin Ackermann and Roelof van der Merwe come back into the fold to provide batting help and their respective right and left-arm finger spin, while Paul van Meekeren bolsters the fast-bowling off the back of a consistent County season for Gloucestershire. The side will lament the absence of speedster Fred Klaassen, but Scott Edwards should be able to count on up to seven bowling options in any given match.

The side share the load on the batting side too, with the likes of Max O’Dowd and Vikramjit Singh accustomed to taking on world-class attacks, and Barresi able to blunt or bludgeon depending on the match situation. Bas de Leede’s reputation is warranted, Teja Nidamanuru carries a consistency in his approach, while captain Scott Edwards boasts a strong recent record and the ability to sweep and reverse. Logan van Beek’s late-order hitting adds an exclamation point, while Sybrand Engelbrecht, an ex-U19 international for South Africa, also squeezes into the squad, after a prolific season in the Topklasse, the top Dutch domestic 50-over league.

Few Associate teams of Cricket World Cups past could claim to have 11 match-winning players on their team sheet like The Netherlands and overall, the vibe of the group from the outside looks overwhelmingly positive.

Enjoying a strong preparation and with recent giant-killing success at global tournaments in their victory over South Africa at last year’s T20 World Cup, there should be a quiet confidence that the Dutch can claim multiple victories in India.