Netherlands’ World Cup Success Underlines Growth In Smaller Cricket Nations

The cricket World Cup had not started well. Mired by ticketing issues, low crowds, Pakistan fans and journalists being denied visas and one-sided matches – with the elephant in the room being the apathy for the 50-over format – this World Cup had been mostly receiving negative attention worldwide.

While the lopsided matches continued, the tournament has at least sparked after Afghanistan upset reigning champions England and the Netherlands defeated in-form South Africa.

It’s thrown open the draw of this protracted tournament, where all 10 teams play each other once with the top four qualifying to the semi-finals.

Unlike most other major championships, like the engrossing ongoing rugby World Cup, it’s a dreary format that was enshrined to ensure money-spinner India played a certain number of games to ensure they weren’t eliminated early like in 2007.

Not for the first time, the smaller nations have lit a fuse on a lethargic tournament. The Netherlands beating South Africa was certainly a surprise – given the Proteas’ imperious wins over Sri Lanka and Australia – but not necessarily a seismic shock for those paying attention to them.

This is a battle-hardened ODI team having played in the Super League from 2020-23. They only won three of 24 matches but that’s beside the point. The Netherlands’ gained invaluable experience against some of cricket’s most powerful nations, which has helped make them look totally comfortable on the big stage.

They might get overmatched, but the Netherlands won’t be overawed and if things go their way – like the truncated match against South Africa due to rain boosted their chances – then upsets are possible.

Of course, in the ICC board’s wisdom, the Super League was scrapped. Sources at the time told me it was axed because the powerhouses essentially didn’t want to be restricted to whom they had to face. And the dwindling popularity of the 50-over format means boards are increasingly hesitant organizing such fixtures.

But it’s a shame for emerging countries like the Netherlands, who have shown they are more than capable of being competitive amongst the powers. It’s an incredible story for the Netherlands, who have long been a leading Associates nation and the best cricket country on mainland Europe.

In cricket’s rather archaic tier membership, where the top 12 Full Members are granted more funding and power on the ICC board, the other 96 members like the Netherlands have to share funds and make do with the limited fixtures they are given.

“The stakes are so high for Associate countries,” former Netherlands coach Ryan Campbell once told me. “It’s not about just winning or losing, it’s about do you have a job tomorrow. That’s what we have to keep in mind.”

Like all Associate nations, many of their players have had unusual pathways to international cricket. Tonga born, Australia-raised captain Scott Edwards was once an engineer in Melbourne before he took the plunge and decided to try his luck in pursuing an international career in the Netherlands.

After a spectacular half-century to lift the Netherlands to a handy total, Edwards again made all the right moves in the field to inspire their comprehensive victory over South Africa.

Edwards is proving to be the talismanic leader of the tournament and – if it wasn’t clear enough – it should surprise nobody if the Netherlands pull off another win or two.

Their game performances highlight the travesty of the lack of Associates and smaller Full Members in a World Cup confined to a measly 10 teams. Fortunately, the next World Cup in 2027 will expand to 14 teams but in the meantime the Netherlands will be flying the flag for cricket’s battling nations who have to do it against the odds.

“The ICC want cricket to be the most participated game on the planet…we need to keep pushing the boundaries of cricket,” Campbell said.

“The Associates is the future of cricket.”