When ICC announced that the winners of 2015-2017 ICC World Cricket League Championships will be taking part in the new ICC 13-team ODI League from 2020-2022, which will serve as the direct qualification pathway for 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup in India, the top 3/4 teams (Netherlands, Scotland and Papua New Guinea) in the points table couldn’t help but rejoice for the fact that finally, all the hard work done at the Associate level will bear fruits as one of them will get the chance to get guaranteed 24 ODI matches against Full members over a 2-year period.
As it happened, on the final day and final round of WCL Championships matches, Netherlands secured the Title and on virtue of which, they got something in return which never in their wildest dreams would have existed after their debut World Cup appearance in 1996.
Netherlands were not only now the Top nation among the Associates, but also were guaranteed ODI status and 24 ODI’s from 2020-2022. Talk about 4/5 matches a year and sometimes even less, the tears of joy in Dutch players emotions and celebrations at ICC Academy was a testament of what they have achieved.
It is by no doubt the biggest achievement in the history of Dutch cricket, one which will also ensure that precious talent pool doesn’t get lost to other countries and there is a reason for top players to stay and have a secured International future in Orange colours. With ODI League appearance, one could easily assume that there will be influx of added ICC funding for KNCB to utilise and develop the infrastructure/facilities/domestic structure in the country.
For Cricket in Netherlands, the recognition for the sport carries much significance for KNCB, who have been doing their level best to make it one of the mainstream options for youngsters.
(Fun fact, Netherlands Cricket (ICC ranking #13) has definitely outsmarted Football (FIFA ranking #17) in terms of Global rankings)
Keeping in mind that the next few years will be crucial for development of talent pool, Koninklijke Nederlandse Cricket Bond (KNCB) have announced central contracts for 9 Dutch players that secures the financial futures for players as well. The players are Pieter Seelaar, Stephen Myburgh, Wesley Barresi, Tobias Visee, Ben Cooper, Maxwell O’Dowd, Fred Klassen, Scott Edwards & Bas de Leede.
Other prominent players in Ryan ten Doeschate, Paul van Meekeren, Tim van der Gugten, Michael Rippon, Logan van Beek, Roelof van der Merwe etc. have professional contracts with clubs in England and New Zealand.
Netherlands will host West Indies, Pakistan, England and Ireland during the ODI League period, while they will travel to Zimbabwe, South Africa, Afghanistan (UAE or India) and New Zealand for their away series in the ODI League from 2020-2022.
Exciting times ahead for KNCB, Ryan Campbell, Pieter Seelaar & co, indeed.
