Hup Holland Hup: The five key players who helped secure Cricket World Cup qualification for Netherlands

4 and 5. Vikramjit Singh and Max O’Dowd

Vikramjit: 313 runs at 44.71, 4 wickets at 29.25

O’Dowd: 266 runs at 38.00

A large chunk of Netherlands’ qualification success can be attributed to the excellent batting starts they consistently enjoyed through the tournament, courtesy of openers Vikramjit Singh and Max O’Dowd. In conditions where the ball did a fair bit in the first ten overs, the duo were positive and clinical in their strokeplay and also ran hard between the wickets.

Together, they put up three half-century and two century stands in seven games at a combined average of 68.71 and a strike rate of 84.4. Easily the best opening combo at the qualifier, Vikramjit and O’Dowd ensured that the Dutch almost always had a strong base from which to build their innings. Crucially, Vikramjit also chipped in with some handy overs of medium pace trundlers, picking up four wickets in 17 overs.

Honourable Mentions

Apart from the aforementioned players, there were a few others who also made timely contributions to the Dutch campaign. Teja Nidamanuru’s sensational hundred against West Indies and 143 run partnership with Edwards was instrumental in the Dutch getting over the line and carrying a crucial two points with them through to the Super Six stage.

39-year-old veteran Wesley Barresi rotated the strike well and wound back the years with his urgent running between the wickets. He had a decent tournament with two fifties. Saqib Zulfiqar largely struggled with both bat and ball, but came through when it mattered with an innings of 33* (32) versus the Scots. He was a highly effective understudy to de Leede’s batting fireworks in that game, combining for a 113 run partnership in 11.3 overs which sealed the win and sent the Dutch dressing room into raptures.

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