Kolkata
The Netherlands cricket team, one of the minnows in the ongoing World Cup, is calling for greater recognition and a bigger nation status from the International Cricket Council (ICC) after securing two upset wins in the tournament. Bas de Leede, a batting all-rounder for the Netherlands, expressed their desire for the ICC to consider them as a potentially bigger cricketing nation. The Dutch team, the only Associate Nation in the World Cup, made headlines by defeating South Africa by 38 runs in Dharamsala in their first match. They continued their impressive run by defending a modest total of 229 against Bangladesh, dismissing their opponents for 142, resulting in an 87-run victory. De Leede emphasized the importance of their victories in inspiring young kids in the Netherlands to take up the game of cricket. He also expressed their desire to get the ICC’s attention and recognition as a potentially bigger cricketing nation in the coming years. However, it remains uncertain whether the ICC will entertain their request for Test status and increased exposure. Granting Test status to a country involves several criteria, including the structure of domestic cricket, which may be a hurdle for the Dutch team. Many Dutch cricketers play county cricket in search of better exposure and competition. While their chances of making the World Cup semi-finals appear slim, the Dutch team is determined to keep winning their remaining matches and hope for favorable results from other teams. They have upcoming matches against Afghanistan, England, and India, with their goal to secure as many victories as possible. De Leede discussed the challenging pitch conditions at the Eden Gardens, stating that it wasn’t easy to score runs on a tricky pitch. The Netherlands adapted well by setting a respectable total and effectively using a short-ball strategy to restrict their opposition. Despite early challenges, they held on to secure their victory.
