"We belong here" The Netherlands proud despite falling short on T20 World Cup debut

“We still believe, we belong here, we worked really hard for it,” is what Babette de Leede reflected after falling short on the Netherlands’ T20 World Cup debut. A pool of orange took over the Wyatt Stand at Edgbaston with the red, white and blue flags dotted around the ground.

For the first time, the Netherlands had made it to a T20 Women’s World Cup. This is the day they had been anticipating since late January on that rainy day in Kathmandu where they qualified.

Regardless of what happened on the pitch, the Dutch side had etched their names into the history books. The whole day was one big learning curve. Their first World Cup game, probably the biggest stadium they’d ever played in as a team, their biggest crowd and the most eyes they’ve had on them. It was the most significant day in their cricket careers…thus far.

“It was really special, especially with the crowd we got in. Our family and friends are all here. It's a beautiful ground, flat wickets. The environment was amazing. The experience itself was really, really cool,” captain Babette de Leede said, speaking after the game.

“It would have been even better if we got a win obviously, but I really hope we inspire a lot of people back home, especially girls because this is so cool. I wish this up on anyone playing cricket in the Netherlands.”

Opening the batting, power hitter Heather Siegers swiped at the first delivery, just running two, a shot that on many other pitches she’s played on at international level, would probably have gone for four. Phebe Molkenboer departed prematurely after what was a good 11 from six balls and with star batter Sterre Kalis falling for just four, the Netherlands found themselves slipping 47/4.

“I think losing wickets, it usually gets me more focused, more in the game because I can't mess up,” de Leede said.

Indeed, the skipper Babette came in to steady the ship. It was an innings that grew beautifully. Burdening the responsibility of captaincy and guiding her team through this new experience, de Leede looked slightly unsteady at first and took her time to get off the mark.

““It was quite hard to prepare for something you don't know what to prepare for. I think with the captain shoot the other day at Waterloo Bridge and then our media day, our warm-up games, everything started to feel real,” Babette explained.

Just as the Netherlands started to rediscover some rhythm, de Leede was rapped on the pads and given out, a decision she naturally immediately reviewed. Issues with technology (again) lead to gut wrenching suspense for both decisions on De Leede, both of which she survived. Like a cat with nine lives, she persevered her way to 50.

“A few balls before [the 50] people were already cheering and then it was a wide or leg byes or someone else scored the run, so it was a lot going on and especially the whole innings with reviews. It was very eventful innings,” Babette recalled.

To the misery of the Dutch, the lives ran out as Babette herself was run out, reaching her half century but was unable to celebrate it as she had to trudge back to the dugout.

“I think that run-out was pretty crucial in our first innings. I think if that hadn't happened, we probably would have scored a little bit more runs,” she added.

What was demonstrated by Iris Zwilling and Silver Siegers at the death was some gritty batting with the aim of posting a defendable total, despite their wobbly innings. Siegers’ boundary from penultimate ball pushed the Netherlands up to139/8 with 12 scored from the final over.  

In the innings break, the Dutch support remained together, hydrating in the way the Dutch do and remaining fluorescent among the ever-growing number of India and Pakistan shirts arriving for the later game.

The Netherlands needed early wickets and a spectacular catch by Sterre Kalis was initially given out, the boost the Dutch were desperate for. Controversially, it was overturned with the ball deemed to be on the ground.

Moments later, Robine Rijke dropped a caught and bowled chance off the dangerous Juairiya Ferdous. These early moments were prime opportunities for the Netherlands to make a dent and keep themselves right in the game.

A wicket was needed. If in doubt, call the doctor and that’s just what Babette de Leede did, bringing leggie Dr Caroline de Lange into the attack. De Lange took two in two dismissing Ferdous for 50 and the intimidating captain Nigar Sultana Joty for a duck. It was a moment of jubilation for the Netherlands who put themselves back into the game.

Spin brought success and Silver Siegers bowled Dilara Akter Dola for 26, a player who looked like she could have been there to hit the winning runs. The Netherlands had grasped some momentum and a spectacular direct hit by Frédérique Overdijk left Sobhana Mostary sprawled out on the ground having not made it back in time.

Bangladesh required just 31 from the last five overs, requiring precise and clinical death bowling. Iris Zwilling and Heather Siegers negotiated the situation but with just three required from the last over, the Netherlands were being asked to do a near impossible task.

Shorna Akter struck a four to win the game off the first ball of the final over to win by six wickets and make the Netherlands wait for their winning ambitions to be fulfilled.

“Our first ever T20 World Cup game, it was a great experience, very overwhelming but unfortunately, we couldn't get over the line,” de Leede reflected.

“Having played our first game, it’s so cool and it's such a privilege to be here. We just want to keep going and move forward, play better cricket next game. For us, it's all new, singing our national anthem, a very special moment.”