Netherlands Preview: Time to capitalise on the home advantage for the Lioness

The Netherlands are going to play international cricket after a long gap in the ICC Women’s T20 Qualifiers. They are looking forward to this tournament as it will give them more exposure and popularity in their country and it will help in the development of the women’s game too. ICC has granted international status to all Women's T20s from July 1, 2018.

Being a young squad, they are looking forward to gaining some experience from this Qualifiers. They face their first match in Women's T20 Qualifiers against the United Arab Emirates on the 7th of July.

Here’s all you need to know about the squad:

 

Key Players:

The Netherlands have some good players in the squad. They are progressing well as a team and have a lot of potentials to grow further. The key player is Sterre Kalis who recently signed a professional contract with Queensland in Australia. She is a positive batter and has the ability to take the game away from the opposition.

Captain Heather Siegers is a fine allrounder. Not only with bat and ball, she is an awesome fielder too. She represented Netherland in 2015 qualifiers and has a vast experience. Right-hand batter Denise Hannema, who made her debut in 2008 against West Indies can truly be a lioness for her opponents. Her performance in Royal London Women's ODI Cup is expected to repeat again in the tournament.

Bowlers Silver Siegers and all-rounder Thomson have done well in Royal London Women's ODI Cup and can be the key players for the team too.

 

Strengths:

Since they are hosting the Qualifiers this year, their chances to win games increases as they know the conditions well. This team looks good in both batting and bowling. They have performed well in the Royal London Women's ODI Cup this year by winning 5 matches out of six. These performances in ODIs this year are expected to replicate in the T20Is too.

 

Weaknesses:

Though they are performing well but the lack of experience can pose a big threat in front of them. They last played an international tournament in the T20 Qualifiers in 2015 but did not qualify. Their last series was with Ireland; where the Netherlands won the series by winning two matches out of three, but they did lose all other matches played before this series.

 

Importance:

Their last T20 match was with Papua New Guinea at Bangkok in 2015. It was 1st Shield Semi-Finals at Women's T20 Qualifiers. PNG won the match by one wicket. This was a thrilling game for both the teams. It will be interesting to see if the Netherlands live up to the expectations and qualify for the World Cup.

 

Squad:

Heather Siegers (c), Cher van Slobbe, Esther Corder, Caroline de Fouw, Babette de Leede, Denise Hannema, Sterre Kalis, Lisa Klokgieters, Mariska Kornet, Juliet Post, Annemijn Thomson, Robine Rijke, Silver Siegers, Jolien van Vliet.