National coaches optimistic about 2023 after promising 2022
Published at 11 March, 2023The Dutch international cricketers have had a successful 2022. Thanks to winning the World Cricket League, the men took on top countries such as West Indies, England and Pakistan, and (earlier) New Zealand and Afghanistan. Although these Super League matches were lost, they provided priceless experience for the players. At the T20 World Cup in Australia, the Dutch who play professionally were available. That resulted in a historic eighth place, which meant direct qualification for the T20 World Championships in the USA and the West Indies in 2024. The Dutch women regained One Day International status and beat Thailand in one of the T20s in Chiang Mai.
Ryan Cook, national men’s coach: “It has been an unprecedented time in Dutch Cricket with historic victories for the women, T10 European champions, a 4th place in the T20 World Cup group stage and automatic qualification for the T20 World Cup in 2024. Individual players and teams have flourished and are earning successes around the world. I look forward to building on this momentum leading into the summer with the Men’s National team under leadership of Scott Edwards and with the support of all stakeholders in Netherlands Cricket.”
Scott Edwards, captain Dutch national men’s team: “After a strong T20 World Cup campaign in Australia, I am extremely excited to continue working with Ryan Cook and leading this squad into another big year with a key focus on the ICC World Cup Qualifiers in June. The experience we have gained from competing in the ODI Super League holds us in good stead for a tough qualification tournament and busy summer of cricket. “
Dutch women’s team
The women were granted ODI status by the ICC in May - a great reward for the hard work that a fairly stable group has been putting in for several years in a row. The KNCB organised Series against Ireland and Thailand. Although the ODIs were lost, a T20I win against Thailand as well as several outstanding individual performances were recorded, including half centuries for Sterre Kalis and Babette de Leede, and many international wickets for Iris Zwilling, Caroline de Lange, Hannah Landheer, Frédérique Overdijk and Silver Siegers.
Shane Deitz, national women’s coach: “The 2022 season was a breakthrough year for the women’s team as we secured ODI status. This will allow us to play meaningful 50 over cricket against higher ranked and more experienced teams. We had series against Ireland and Thailand. Although the results can obviously be improved, the learning experience was significant. We are on our way towards beating higher ranked opponents. Our focus and preparation is building up for the European T20 World Cup Qualifier in September. It will be a tough tournament but we’ll prepare well and have a good chance to progress to the Global Qualifier in 2024.”
Women’s captain Heather Siegers: “With a pretty young squad we have been training hard for a while now, cricket as well as fitness, under the leadership of our coach Shane Deitz. The matches in 2022 have shown that we are becoming more and more competitive. This resulted in us regaining ODI status after ten years as well as making the world rankings. In 2023 we have more exciting games in Gibraltar, Spain and the Netherlands. We are confident that we have a good chance of making it to the Global T20 Qualifier that will be organised in 2024.”
