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A first round exit in 1996, the inability to qualify for the 1999 World Cup and another first round exit in 2003, sums up the Netherlands’ last three WC efforts. Grouped with the mighty Aussies and South Africa in Group A, their hopes of victory can surely only come from the one encounter they will have against Scotland. In August 2006, the Netherlands competed in Division One of the European Championship. They beat Denmark and Italy, but lost to the Scots and their game against Ireland was rained off. They finished third in the tournament. Players such as Luuk van Troost, Baz Zuiderent, Tim de Leede and Ryan ten Doeschate are stars in their own right and are charged with taking their country to the next level.
Hard-hitting left-hander van Troost, for now, is the Netherlands’ captain. His captaincy ability is relatively unchallenged in amongst the smaller nations and as a number six or seven batsman he isn’t half bad.
Zuiderent, another hard-hitting batsman the Netherlands will rely heavily on at the top of the innings. Experience in South Africa and England can only count in his favour as he looks to be one of the more seasoned campaigners contributing to the nurturing of a somewhat young Netherlands team.
South African-born batsman Ryan ten Doeschate has come on in leaps and bounds since making his international debut for the Netherlands against Sri Lanka in July of 2006. Since then he has slowly but surely accumulated some decent knocks for his country and is a good bet to finish in the runs at the end of the WC fiesta.
A close win over Scotland but that’s it. Better luck next time gents.
