Opportunity does not come knocking at the door every day of the year. But when it comes, one needs to make sure that it is grabbed with both hands which is exactly what Netherlands managed to did at the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup Qualifiers. On their way to the main tournament in India, the team would be taking a lot of confidence especially with the manner in which they played in the qualifiers. They defeated two-time champions West Indies as well as the likes of Scotland, USA, Oman, Nepal in the qualifying competition to earn the right to be playing in the World Cup.
As far as the Men in Orange'e recent stats in ODIs are concerned, it shows an impressive record compared to their own overall record. But whether they can challenge teams with far more experience and expertise in this format will determine if they can stun any of top sides the world to make a place for themselves. While their overall win percentage in ODIs is 35.08, this year the Dutch have won 6 of their 14 games to record a win percentage of 42.85 and they would be eager to further improve that if they want to have a memorable World Cup this year.
Let's dive deep into a SWOT Analysis of the Netherlands team ahead of the World Cup.
Strengths
a) All-round options
All-rounders are the engine rooms of any teams in white-ball cricket. That is where their real power lies especially because of the changing dynamics in ODI cricketer where teams are pushing for greater depth in batting and captains wanting to have more bowling options up at their sleeves when they come out to field. The Dutch are blessed with some quality and experienced all-rounders who can make a difference both with the bat and ball. Bas de Leede, Teja Nidamanuru and Max O'Dowd are some of the names that can turn the match on its head with either skill while Colin Ackermann, Shariz Ahmad Roelof van der Merwe will also come in handy. Meanwhile, there are also several part-time bowling options which makes them a well-balanced unit.
b) No pressure of being favourites
Truth be told Netherlands aren't one of the teams that is being looked upon as favourites. They did not even qualify for the last edition of the World Cup and have just two wins in World Cup games to their credit, one coming in 2007 where they beat Scotland by 8 wickets and 157 balls to spare, the other came further back in 2003 in a game where they beat Namibia by 64 runs. Without any burden, the Dutch can come out there and just play to the best of their ability which is precisely what teams get distracted from especially during crunch games.
Weaknesses
a) Vulnerable against spin
The Netherlands batters tend to struggle against the spinners, something which was also evident in their ICC World Cup Qualifiers campaign. They had a hard time negotiating against the quality of a world-class spinner like Wanindu Hasaranga. Almost every other team in this tournament will have at least one if not more quality spin bowlers which their batters will have to face and that could be the make or break point if Netherlands are to do well in this tournament.
b) Weak Spin Attack
One area in their bowling where the Netherelands seem to lack is their spin department. As far as frontline spin bowling options are concerned, the Men in Orange have just a solitary option in Aryan Dutt. Other than him, skipper Scott Edwards will have to rely on part-time spin-bowling options who does not have much international experience or success either.
Opportunities
a) Stun the World
Here is an Opportunity for the Netherlands to stun the world. No one is actually expecting the Men in Orange to go out there and reach the knockout stage of the competition but in the process they find themselves an opportunity to stun the world and achieve something special and who knows maybe even a place past the round-robin stage.
b) Rub Shoulders Against The Best Teams
Not everyday, Netherlands get a chance to compete with the likes of India, Australia, England and Pakistan among other teams. More than anything else, it will be a massive opportunity for them to rub shoulders against the best teams in the world and thereby improve what's at stake for them.
Threats
a) Inexperience at this level
One of the major threats for Netherlands is relative inexperience of this side at the World Cup level. For several players it will be their first-ever ODI World cup and thus whenever they sense a chance to achieve a win, there is a chance that nerves could get to them. So that is one thing the Dutch would want to keep at bay.
Full Squad:
Scott Edwards (captain), Max O'Dowd, Bas de Leede, Vikram Singh, Teja Nidamanuru, Paul van Meekeren, Colin Ackermann, Roelof van der Merwe, Logan van Beek, Aryan Dutt, Ryan Klein, Wesley Barresi, Saqib Zulfiqar, Shariz Ahmad, Sybrand Engelbrecht
Netherlands Fixtures
| FIXTURE | DATE | VENUE |
| Netherlands vs Pakistan | October 6 | Hyderabad |
| Netherlands vs New Zealand | October 9 | Hyderabad |
| Netherlands vs South Africa | October 17 | Dharamsala |
| Netherlands vs Sri Lanka | October 21 | Lucknow |
| Netherlands vs Australia | October 25 | Delhi |
| Netherlands vs Bangladesh | October 28 | Kolkata |
| Netherlands vs Afghanistan | November 3 | Lucknow |
| Netherlands vs England | November 8 | Pune |
| Netherlands vs India | November 11 | Bengaluru |
Titles- 0
Prediction: Netherlands are more than capable of pulling off one or two upsets in the round-robin stage but will still not be able to make it past the first round of the tournament commencing on October 5.