This will be a historic occasion for the Netherlands Women’s team, who will play in their first-ever ICC Women’s T20 World Cup thanks to strong performances in the qualifiers. They should enjoy the World Cup happening near their home and expect fan support from the travelling ‘Orange Army’ in their quest to make a mark on the big stage.
Strength
Netherlands will appear in their first T20 Women’s World Cup this year. But some of their players already have experience in this format through international matches, different English Counties, and the Hundred. The captain, Babette de Leede, cousin of the star all-rounder Bas de Leede, has played 95 T20 internationals and should reach a hundred games during the tournament. Sterre Kalis, their star batter, has close to 2,000 T20I runs and played in the Hundred. They also have two very good pace bowlers in Frederique Overdijk and Isabel van der Woning, who can take advantage of English pitches and conditions.
Weakness
Since not all of the players have international exposure, that can be a big challenge for them on such a global stage. Handling pressure in big games will not be easy, and handling top-class spin bowling against teams like India and Australia will be an added concern.
Opportunities
As the ‘underdog’ in the tournament, they will hope opponents underestimate them, allowing them to exploit their home-ground advantage and pull off some major upsets. Even a couple of wins can help them finish in the top eight and grant a direct entry into the next edition of the tournament. This will be a huge boost for women’s cricket in the Netherlands.
Threats
In Group A, along with the Netherlands, the other five teams are Australia, India, South Africa, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. Teams with a high pedigree and ready to take advantage of the inexperience of the Dutch girls, who may also have the fatigue factor against them after playing frequently in the last few months as part of the Emerging Nations Trophy and the global qualifier in Nepal.
For the captain, Babette de Leede, the target is to win at least two games to finish in the top eight and secure a direct qualification spot for the next T20 World Cup. It is a realistic goal, but whether they can keep their nerve in the crunch moments would be the key factor.
Netherlands women sqaud: Babette de Leede (c), Caroline de Lange, Frédérique Overdijk, Hannah Landheer, Heather Siegers, Iris Zwilling, Isabel van der Woning, Lara Leemhuis, Myrthe van den Raad, Phebe Molkenboer, Robine Rijke, Rosalie Lawrence, Sanya Khurana, Silver Siegers, Sterre Kalis
Preferred first XI: Sterre Kalis, Phebe Molkenboer, Babette de Leede (C), Robine Rijke, Heather Siegers, Iris Zwilling, Sanya Khurana, Frederique Overdijk, Caroline de Lange, Silver Siegers, Isabel van der Woning
Babette de Leede Exclusive: Would love for Netherlands to get more exposure at T20 World Cup
