Ten Doeschate voices Dutch concern

By Paul Hiscock

One consequence of the revamping of the domestic fixture list from 2014 will be the omission of Netherlands, Scotland and the Unicorns from the Clydesdale Bank 40.

The Dutch have taken part in the last three years, having joined Scotland in the newly-established CB40 competition in 2010, the year after their memorable ICC World Twenty20 victory over England at Lord's. Although they managed just a single victory in their first year of participation, they did finish mid-table in their group in the subsequent two seasons with five victories in both seasons against county opposition.

However, one of their leading players of recent years is worried that they are still too dependent on foreign players. Netherlands and Essex all-rounder Ryan ten Doeschate, who won the ICC Associate and Affiliate Player of the Year award three times in four years, said: "I am a little concerned that Holland are bringing in more foreign players because I would like to see native Dutch players forming a greater part of their line-up."

South African-born Ten Doeschate, who represents Netherlands due to his Dutch ancestry, added: "I believe that the next target should be to introduce more Dutch players into their national side. They need to be competing against the better Associate teams and county teams, so playing in the CB40 competition and doing reasonably well was a move in the right direction."

However, when asked if he thought the standard of Netherlands cricket had improved in the last five years, Ten Doeschate's answer was a frank one. "I have to say that I don't think so," he said. "They have brought in a few quality  players. Michael Swart and Stephan Myburgh have done pretty well and they had an Australian, Cameron Borgas, as their overseas player and he has carried out a lot of work for them.

"But if the Dutch guys who have been around for some while can contribute more, then I think you would have a better rounded team and that would make them more competitive."


 

Date: 06/11/2012 07:00:00 by Paul Hiscock
In: Today | Essex |