The Netherlands World Cup Squad
Batsmen
Alexei Kervezee - 21 - Right Hand Opening Batsman
Eric Szwarczynski - 27 - Right Hand Opening Batsman
Wesley Barresi - 26 - Right Hand Opening/Top Order Batsman - Wicket Keeper
Tom Cooper - 24 - Right Hand Top Order Batsman
Bas Zuiderent (Vice-Captain) - 33 - Right Hand Middle Order Batsman
Tom de Grooth - 31 - Right Hand Middle Order Batsman
Atse Buurman - 28 - Wicket Keeper - Right Hand Middle Order Batsman
All-Rounders
Ryan ten Doeschate - 30 - Right Hand Top Order Batsman - Right Arm Medium Fast Bowler
Peter Borren (Captain) - 28 - Right Hand Middle Order Batsman - Right Arm Medium Bowler
Spin Bowlers
Pieter Seelaar - 23- Left Arm Orthodox Spin Bowler
Adeel Raja - 30 - Right Arm Off Spin Bowler
Fast Bowlers
Bernard Loots - 31 - Right Arm Medium Bowler
Mudassar Bukhari - 27 - Right Arm Medium Fast Bowler
Bradley Kruger - 22 - Right Arm Fast Medium Bowler
Berend Westdijk - 25 - Right Arm Medium Bowler
The Netherlands are a frustrating enigma in their international performances. They have been one of the higher ranked associates for 20 years now, and are always improving, but have not been able to pull away substantially from the likes of Canada, Scotland and Ireland. This will be the nation's 4th World Cup, and 3rd consecutively, but there has not yet been any substantial upset. The only two Dutch World Cup wins were over fellow minnows Namibia in 2003 and Scotland in 2007. But there are signs of recent progress, not least thanks to the 2009 Twenty20 World Cup where the Dutch claimed their first Test scalp, with a win over England. They'll face England in their opening game and their performance will be indicative of whether this will be a fruitful World Cup, or a procession of easy defeats.
The Netherlands are probably the 12th strongest of 14 teams in the World Cup, yet are unlikely to win a game. The quality divide between the two groups means that the struggling Kenya and Canada have been drawn together, while the Dutch have been drawn with Associate front runners Ireland. To have any chance of a win during the tournament, the Dutch will need their star all-rounder Ryan ten Doeschate to fire. He is the marquee man in a strong and by now quite experienced looking batting line-up. The experience of Bas Zuiderent who has been at every World Cup, and the anchoring reliability of Eric Szwarczynski will provide stability, around which the young fast scoring talents Kervezee, Cooper and Barresi can play their natural game.
As is increasingly common with the Associate teams however, there are questions over the Netherlands' bowling attack. It is the Dutch batting which has won most of their games in recent times, and none of the bowlers have yet established themselves as showing real class. However as opposed to mostly medium pacers, there are genuine quicks, something which Associate nations often lack.
Prediction
The difficulty of Group B is likely to define The Netherlands' World Cup. India and South Africa could put them to the sword, but every other game could at least be competitive in the best case scenario. Ireland though is the only team they should realistically beat, and Ireland will need to have a bad day.
Hosford's XI
Kervezee, Szwarczynski, Barresi, ten Doeschate, Zuiderent, de Grooth, Borren (C), Bukhari, Kruger, Seelaar, Adeel Raja
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