Leadership shift for Netherlands as Edwards steps down
Bas de Leede is set to take charge of the team following the Utrecht leg of the ICC Men's CWC League 2 matches, which concluded on Friday.
Scott Edwards has stepped down as the skipper of the Netherlands, as confirmed by the KNCB (the Royal Dutch Cricket Association) through a video released on social media.
All-rounder Bas de Leede will take over as the new captain for the remainder of the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup League 2 games.
"Apologies for sort of springing this one on you guys. I'm actually stepping down from the captaincy from here," Edwards told the team in the video.
"I think it's sort of something Cookie (Ryan Cook) and I have been speaking about and I've sort of been speaking to a few different people about it, and this is sort of the time that feels right for me, I think.
"I feel like I've got so much more to offer as a player and obviously that's my goal sort of going forward with all you boys.
"I think this is such a special group. And yeah, I think the world's our oyster and I'm really looking forward to what's to come."
A captain's knock by Scott Edwards | CWC23
An unbeaten 78 from 69 from Scott Edwards lifted the Netherlands innings against South Africa.
The keeper-batter's captaincy stint began in June 2022 and he led the team in 56 ODIs and 50 T20Is.
Victories over South Africa and Bangladesh in the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 were the Netherlands' prominent wins under Edwards' tenure.
The Dutch under Edwards also got the better of Zimbabwe and South Africa in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2022, thereby eliminating the Proteas from the tournament.
Netherlands end South Africa semi-final dream with shock win | Match Highlights | T20WC 2022
Match Highlights: Netherlands upsets South Africa's semi-final chances with thrilling win at the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2022
De Leede, who will now lead the unit for the final set of ICC CWC League 2 matches against Oman and the UAE, responded in the same video to Edwards, "I think if I can speak on behalf of the players, you've led us into some really cool battles over the years. And I just want to thank you for believing in us."
"Even if some of us didn't believe in ourselves or in the team, the way you were able to communicate to us what the plan was and how it was going to be acquired every single game, day in, day out, was special and made me as a player believe in my own ability more than I ever did before."
The Netherlands are currently second on the ICC CWC League 2 standings as the top four teams are slated to play the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2027 qualifiers.