Netherlands Cricket Team 15-Man Squad For T20 World Cup 2022

Coming off a competitive ODI series against Pakistan in August, the Netherlands will be determined to put their best foot forward at the T20 World Cup 2022, to show the world how much they’ve progressed in recent years.

Drawn in the qualifying pool alongside Namibia, Sri Lanka and the United Arab Emirates, the Netherlands have a very real chance of moving through to the Final 12 phase of the tournament. While ranked as the bottom seed in the pool, the Netherlands will back themselves to defeat 13th and 14th ranked UAE and Namibia, after having played against the top sides in the world this year.

To do so, the Netherlands has named a 15-man squad featuring plenty of experience and all-round talent. Wicketkeeper Scott Edwards will lead the side, which sees all-rounders Roelof van der Merwe and Colin Ackerman returning to the team after being absent for the last few months. The squad offers some fierce pace options, with the likes of Logan van Beek who helped bowl Pakistan out for 206 last month.

Here is our breakdown of the Netherlands’ 15-man 2022 T20 World Cup squad, with each selection analysed on an individual basis.

Full 15-man squad for the Netherlands 2022 T20 World Cup campaign in Australia

Tom Cooper, Bas de Leede, Stephan Myburgh, Vikramjit Singh, Colin Ackermann, Fred Klaassen, Max O'Dowd, Roelof van der Merwe, Shariz Ahmad, Teja Nidamanuru, Tim van der Gugten, Tim Pringle, Scott Edwards (captain), Logan van Beek, Paul van Meekeren and Brandon Glover.

Batsmen – Youth and Experience Combine with the Bat

The Netherlands has opted to select two veterans, and two up-and-comers as their specialist batsmen for this World Cup.

Four specialist batsmen have been named by the Netherlands for the 2022 T20 World Cup, as follows:

Tom Cooper and Stephan Myburgh represent the old hands in this Netherland’s squad. Both men are over the age of 35, with Myburgh not far off 40 years old. Between them they have 20 years experience at the international level playing T20Is, and while their number of caps may not reflect it, bring a wealth of depth to this Netherlands team.

Myburgh is the real veteran, having scored 845 runs across his 40 T20I appearances, at an average of 22.24. While his strike rate of 115.12 doesn’t set the world on fire, it certainly pairs well with the firepower of some of the team’s big hitters. Cooper offers even tighter figures from his 23 T20Is, with a high score of 81, average of 28.68 and strike rate of 137.97. Expect these two to play a key role for the Netherlands, as they build their total around a big contribution from one of these men.

Complimenting the experience of Cooper and Myburgh, is the youth of Bas de Leede and Vikramjit Singh. Both men are young, with de Leede 22 years old and Singh still a teenager. De Leede has 517 runs to his name already, having impressed with a top score of 91 recently. His average of 34.47 across 24 T20Is indicates that he is a real hope for both the future, and right now. Singh, on the other hand, has yet to prove himself at this level, playing three T20Is since his debut as a 16-year-old.

Overall stats for Netherlands Players in T20Is - Batsmen

All Rounders – Options Boosted by Return of Ackermann and van der Merwe

The Netherlands offers perhaps the most impressive selection of all teams this World Cup—a total of eight all-rounders, more than half of their total squad.

Here are the eight all-round options selected for the 2022 T20 World Cup by the Netherlands:

Big hitting Colin Ackermann and IPL star Roelof van der Merwe return to the Netherlands’ set up, boosting the all-round batting options. Ackermann has only played 14 T20Is for his country, but already has brought up 300 runs at an average of 27.27 and strike rate of 118.58. The 31-year-old contributes with the ball too, picking up six wickets at an economy of 6.39 so far in his international career. Van der Merwe, on the other hand, brings a wealth of experience, having played several IPL seasons and 45 times for the Netherlands. The all-rounder strikes at 130+ and has a high score of 75, while also threatening with the ball, collecting 54 wickets at 6.41 runs per over from this 45 matches.

The run scoring ability of Kiwi-born Max ODowd will be valued in the middle order. With 1347 runs at an average of 29.28 and respectable strike rate of 124.03, 28-year-old ODowd is one of the best batsman in this Netherland’s squad. The right hander also contributes a bit of off break spin from time to time, providing a Kane Williamson-like back up option to the bowling attack.

Timm van der Gugten and Fred Klassen offer strong bowling options too, with 73 wickets between the pair. Chances are these two will be competing against each other for a spot in the playing 11, with similar strengths on offer.

Two fairly untested all-rounders are also included in the squad, with 19-year-old Shariz Ahmed and 20-year-old Tim Pringle. The two left-arm spinners are yet to show what they can do on the big stage, though Pringle has previously represented New Zealand at the under-19 level. Teja Nidamanuru also gains a spot in the Netherland’s squad, relatively unproven after three recent opportunities in the side.

Overall stats for Netherlands Players in T20Is - All-Rounders

Wicketkeepers – Captain Holds Down the Fort Solo

With an established wicketkeeper in the side, and so many other talented options to choose from, the Netherlands have opted to take just the one keeper in their World Cup squad.

The player providing wicketkeeping cover for the Netherlands this T20 World Cup is:

26-year-old Edwards will captain his nation at the upcoming World Cup, while also holding down the fort behind the stumps. The Tongan-born wicketkeeper is handy with the bat too, having crossed 500 T20I runs from his 43 appearances at an average of 22.74. His strike rate of 129.78 is useful later in the innings, if Edwards is required to guide the tail home through the death overs.

With a high score of 86 in white ball cricket, Edwards will be looking to lead from the front and put in some solid contributions for the Netherlands at this World Cup.

Overall stats for Netherlands Players in T20Is - Wicket Keepers

Bowlers – Short Tail as Only Three Specialist Bowlers Selected

The Netherlands’ three bowling all-rounders and five other players who can contribute with the ball have meant that only three specialist bowlers are required.

The three specialist bowling options for the Netherlands in this year’s T20 World Cup are as follows:

All three of the Netherland’s specialist bowlers are right-arm pacers, with the variation and spin coming from their all-rounders.

Paul van Meerkeren leads the attack as the most experienced fast bowler, having taken 53 wickets at this level. His best figures are 4/11, and he goes for a respectable 7.11 runs per over on average. With almost a decade’s experience under his belt, as well as a handful of seasons in overseas T20 leagues such as the CPL, van Meerkeren will be crucial for the Netherlands bowling at the death.

Supporting van Meerkeren is the pace of Logan van Beek and Brandon Glover. Glover has 30 wickets so far since his debut in 2019, and has collected best figures of 4/12 in a T20I. His economy is also very healthy for a fast bowler at 6.77, and will be used heavily in the powerplay to take wickets and frustrate opposition. Van Beek, on the other hand, has had a stop and start career. The 32-year-old Kiwi-born bowler first debuted in 2014 for the Netherlands, but has struggled to gain consistent selection with only 17 caps across the last eight years.

This World Cup represents an excellent chance for van Beek to solidify his position in the squad and help the Netherlands progress deep in the tournament.

Overall stats for Netherlands Players in T20Is - Bowlers

Check T20 World Cup 2022 Squads For Other Teams