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[Saba Sports News] The Netherlands is set to make its first appearance in the men’s cricket World Cup in 12 years, with all eyes on promising allrounder Bas de Leede. During the World Cup Qualifier against Scotland, the 23-year-old earned the Player of the Match title with a spectacular performance.
De Leede’s remarkable display included a century with 123 runs and an impressive bowling performance, taking five wickets for just 52 runs. His contributions secured the Dutch team’s spot in the World Cup.
As the Dutch squad prepares for their tournament opener against Pakistan on October 6 in Hyderabad, de Leede has set ambitious goals, aiming for a spot in the semi-finals. Despite differing opinions on the feasibility of this goal, he believes that with their best cricket, they can compete with other teams.
The significance of this World Cup qualification is not lost on de Leede, given the limited cricketing resources in the Netherlands. He recognizes the achievement of being one of just ten teams in the World Cup as a remarkable feat for a smaller cricketing nation.
Despite cricket’s niche status in the Netherlands, de Leede remains optimistic about its growth potential in the country. With a small pool of registered players and funding challenges, he believes that strong performances in the World Cup can generate greater interest and support for the sport.
“It’s a niche sport in the Netherlands, but when we qualified, the media got much more interested. We have the potential to grow a lot, but we need money. If we put together a couple of decent performances at the World Cup, interest will grow significantly,” de Leede added.