Dutch cricket reached its zenith in 2001 when the Dutch team won the ICC trophy and qualified for the 2003 World Cup. They just barely qualified for the World Cup this time around, finishing 5th at the 2005 ICC trophy to grab the last qualifying spot. Dutch cricket is seemingly on the rise, having finished 3rd at the World Cricket League last month with a record of 3 wins 2 losses. They will also come to the World Cup with a few young, promising players, with the best of them being 26 year old batsman Ryan ten Doeschate.
Batting
The batting will be led by ten Doeschate, who is averaging over 60 in first class cricket and scores his ODI runs at a strike rate of almost 100, having scored 6 centuries, including a double, in his 20 FC matches. He will bat at number 3, following openers Darron Reekers and Bas Zuiderent. Alexei Kervezee is a promising 17 year old batsman who was recently signed by Worcestershire. Allrounders Daan van Bunge and Tim de Leede will complete the batting.
Bowling
The Dutch bowling is their major weakness as evidenced by the record 443 scored against them by Sri Lanka in July of last year. Fast bowler Edgar Schiferli, will open the bowling. Allrounders ten Doeschate, Reekers and de Leede will contribute with medium pace, while van Bunge will toss up leg breaks. Mohammad Kashif may also be called upon to bowl his chinamen. The wild card may be 20 year old fast bowler Mark Jonkman, who has drawn comparisons to Australia's Brett Lee. Outside of Jonkman and Reekers, all the main Dutch bowlers go at over 5 runs an over in ODIs.
Squad
Luuk van Troost (capt), Peter Borren, Daan van Bunge, Ryan ten Doeschate, Mark Jonkman, Muhammad Kashif, Alexei Kervezee, Tim de Leede, Adeel Raja, Darron Reekers, Edgar Schiferli, Jeroen Smits, Billy Stelling, Eric Szwarczynski, Bas Zuiderent
Coach
Holland is coached by former Australian first class player and former Dutch batsman Peter Cantrell.
Previous World Cups: 1996, 2003
Best World cup finish: First Round, 2003
World cup Record: 1 win 10 losses
Outlook
With Australia and South Africa in their group, progression to the second round is highly unlikely. The Dutch will do well to try to limit the scores of the Aussies and Proteas, who may want to regain the record for ODI score. Their best shot at success this Cup will come against fellow Associate member Scotland. That match should a final of sorts for those two teams.
Group Matches (Group A)
Fri Mar 16 - South Africa
Sun Mar 18 - Australia
Thur Mar 22 - Scotland
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