June 14, 2026, is going to be a historic day for the Netherlands women’s side. They will be the first Dutch women’s side to play in a T20 World Cup, when they take on Bangladesh at Edgbaston. It has been a long journey for them, who have seen their male counterparts make it to every World Cup since 2021. The women, on the other hand, will be playing their first World Cup since 2000.
Only a handful of the current Dutch players were born at that point, and among those who were born, not one of them would have any memory of that tournament. The magnitude of what the current lot has achieved is massive, and they will hope to make a massive impact at the mega event.
It will not be easy. Other than Bangladesh, the Netherlands will be up against India, South Africa, Pakistan and Australia.
Netherlands Women’s captain, Babette de Leede, who has been in charge of the side since 2024, reckons her side can ruffle a few at the World Cup.
“I think it’s a very challenging group,” Babette said in a chat with The Crichub.
“It’s very exciting for us to be able to play against some of the best teams in the world. We don’t get the opportunity to play top teams in the world. So this is great for us, I think, to be able to measure ourselves against the best and to get the exposure at the World Cup.
“And I think we can definitely beat a few teams. Especially in T20 cricket, you never know. It might rain in England, the games might get shorter.
“So I definitely think we have a chance, especially with our men. They have a tendency to beat South Africa at the World Cup. So I’m sure we can do it.”
Babette, the niece of former Netherlands captain Tim de Leede and cousin of current all-rounder Bas de Leede, took over as captain of the side under unique circumstances. At 27, Heather Siegers had quit international cricket to focus on her career elsewhere, opening the doors for Babette. It is not uncommon in associate cricket for a player, regardless of how good you are, to pursue your career away from the game for financial security.
“When Heather quit, I think the whole team got a bit of a fright and was a bit stressed. She’s a very important player for us. She’s super experienced,” Babette recalled.
“She opens the batting and the bowling, and she’s great in the field as well. It was not great news. Eventually, the Dutch Cricket Board had a lot of conversations with her employer.
“Luckily, eventually, after a lot of chats, we were able to get her to play for us in the qualifier.”
De Leede is the most experienced player in the Netherlands squad, having played 94 T20Is for her country. On top of that, she also dons the role of a wicketkeeper and bats at three. Keeping up with these roles, plus the captaincy, is something Babette admits was a bit stressful initially.
“At first, I was a bit stressed and a bit nervous. As a wicketkeeper and captain, you have a lot of responsibilities. I felt like I was doing everything alone. Well, not alone, but it’s a lot to get used to at the start. But now I really enjoy it. I love the tactical side of the game as well,” Babette, who looks forward to facing Deepti Sharma at the World Cup, said.
“You’re in charge of a lot of things. I really like to prepare as best as we can with analysis and stuff. I really like that aspect.”
Speaking of challenges, Babette said, “I would say the challenges we face are mostly financial. As a small cricketing country, we don’t get a lot of funding. We would love to train full-time. and be full-time cricket players, but we can’t.
“There’s no way we can sustain that. I would say that’s been the biggest challenge for us as a team. We have to combine our cricket with studies or work, which is not always easy.
“I think we help each other a lot, trying to combine everything and having a social life as well.”
While admitting that the players make a lot of sacrifices to play for the country, Babette believes the Netherlands side are fine for a few years.
“We do make a lot of sacrifices. At one point, if you have a solid job and you want to start a family, then it’s a challenge. For now, we are quite young. I think for the next few years, we should be fine. I would love for us to get some more exposure at this World Cup,” Babette said.
“Maybe get some franchise contracts, because it’s so important for us to get a place for cricket. Maybe we can make a living out of it. Some of us can be full-time professional cricketers and improve our cricket.”
With many from the associate world, including members of the Netherlands, unable to play cricket on a full-time basis, the gap between them and the full-member nations seems wide. Countries like India, South Africa, England and Australia play cricket throughout the year, and unlike the associate players, they do not have to worry about financial security as they are given full-time contracts.
However, Babette believes that the gap between the full members and the associate players, at least skill-wise, is not that wide.
“I think women’s cricket in general has improved a lot over the last few years. I think the quality is so much higher than a few years ago. We’re scoring 180-plus and chasing it down, which is very exciting,” Babette reckons.
“I think it’s great for women’s cricket to get more exposure, to get more funding, to raise the levels. But I don’t think the gap is that big, especially in women’s cricket. I played in those fair break tournaments with some really good players.
“The associate players could actually compete with the top players. Also, from playing in South Africa, I don’t think they’re exceptional or unplayable. I really hope we can pull it off to beat them or another big team.”
With cricket taking up most of Babette’s time, does she get a bit of respite when she’s at home? Coming from a massive cricketing family, her conversation at home also revolves around the sport, which she does not mind.
In fact, one of Babette’s earliest memories growing up are of her uncle Tim and father Patrick playing club cricket together.
“I would say cricket is one of the main topics of every family get-together. It’s the place where my granddad and grandma met,” Babette said.
“My uncles and my dad, his brothers, they all played together when they were younger. My first memories of cricket are probably watching my dad play on the sideline at our club. It’s a big part of our family. It’s quite special.”
Babette further added that she does not feel any additional pressure with De Leede attached to her name.
“It’s quite special, but it doesn’t add pressure or anything. It’s quite unique and quite helpful at the same time. I spoke to Bas a couple of weeks ago about his first World Cup experience and what to expect,” Babette, who looks up to Sarah Taylor, said.
“How he went about it and what he would have done differently looking back. And Tim, my uncle, is our assistant coach with the Dutch women’s team. It’s quite special, but I don’t feel any pressure or expectations or standards.”
That said, the Netherlands go into the World Cup with one aim: To put the best version of themselves out there. They may or may not get a W against their names, but they will surely come out on the other side as much better cricketers, having gone toe-to-toe with some of the best teams and players in the world.
It has been an amazing journey for everyone involved with the Dutch side, and it would not be far-fetched to say that this is just the beginning for them. The Women in Orange have a tough road ahead of them, but there’s absolutely nothing they cannot overcome.
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