16 October - Dharamsala - Netherlands Coach Ryan Cook pre-match press conference
[Reporter:]
Hi, do you think you missed out on an opportunity against Pakistan after picking up some early wickets that was a missed chance and also do you have you had a look at the outfield in in this venue because that has been a talk of the town.
[Ryan Cook:]
I think to answer the first question about Pakistan We were in a good position there, 38 for 3 after 9 overs put us in a really good position. Obviously, they've got good quality players there who were able to put a partnership together. Certainly, wasn't for the lack of planning or lack of trying and they obviously got a competitive score on the board there. Having said that I think 280 on that wicket as we saw in the next couple of games was achievable and had we put a couple partnerships together there I think we could have been a lot closer to the score at the end.
Regarding the outfield we are from the Netherlands so we look at this outfield with a bit of glee, because this is probably better than most of the outfields that we play on anyway.
So, now obviously, it is a little different than from the previous venues that we've been to, and the guys will obviously need to adapt to that as we go along through the game.
[Reporter:]
The last time you played South Africa in an ICC tournament, obviously there was a big result for you guys. And today, when South Africa's skipper, Temba Bavuma was asked, obviously he remembers that game and says the test is going to be even bigger tomorrow with the demands of the 50-over format where you have to be more consistent.
Do you think Netherlands are finally coming to that stage where even in the 50-over format your team can pose that big result?
[Ryan Cook:]
I think the 50-over format is something that we try and pride ourselves on. It's a game that we play a lot of, we don't get to play any Test cricket or anything like that. So, we play a lot of 50-over cricket and we understand the consistency that needs to come with playing good 50-over cricket for long periods of time.
Obviously South Africa have a really good one-day side as well and a T20 team and we just know that if we can go and play good cricket there tomorrow for a long period, we will be able to be competitive.
[Reporter:]
Cricket is included in 2028 Olympics so what is your comment on this?
[Ryan Cook:]
I don't know much about it to be honest, I only read about it very recently. It's a fantastic thing for the game to be included on the world stage like that, to be hosted in LA in I think 2028. So, you know that's fantastic but I'm not sure how many teams will take part in that and what the qualification looks like for that. So yeah, great that it's obviously part of the Olympics I think that's fantastic.
[Reporter:]
Many of the players from under-19 South Africa are included in your team. So, do you think you will get benefit from them? Any advantage do you seek?
Some of the players that are well known to the game of South Africa. Are you seeking any advantage out of that?
[Ryan Cook:]
Yeah, we've got a couple of guys with South African origin in our team with Roelof and Colin and obviously a couple of guys from the coaching staff as well so we do know a lot of the players quite personally and professionally as well - having done a lot of work with them in different teams that we've been involved in so yeah we get to know a little bit more about the players and what makes them tick and obviously we'll be using that to try and you know see if there's any advantage that we can use.
[Reporter:]
Ryan on Roelof, obviously for him it's sort of a full circle thing you know in 2011 the World Cup he couldn't come here with South Africa but now he's finally here playing this tournament that he wanted to for a long time.
What would you like to say on his longevity in the in the sport?
[Ryan Cook:]
I think Roelof’s energy out there speaks for itself you know he's got a great passion for the game he obviously gives his full hundred percent and wears his heart on his sleeve for the team that he's playing for. So, I have no doubt that he'll be out there tomorrow and, you know, putting his best foot forward and giving 100% to the team.
[Reporter:]
And just one thing, have you just called this the Roelof van der Merwe derby?
[Ryan Cook:]
No, you know, obviously, you know, Roelof took that diving catch out in that T20 World Cup last year and a lot was made of that. So, he's obviously motivated to do well as he would for any of the teams that he plays for and as I say, I'm sure he'll be looking forward to the opportunity tomorrow.
