‘It’s about who can handle pressure best’ – ten Doeschate

Four years ago the Netherlands lost their one-day international status during the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2014. This was a blow to a team that had featured in four Cricket World Cups, but things are falling back into place as we head into the 2018 edition in Zimbabwe.

The Netherlands ended 2017 on a high, winning the ICC World Cricket League Championship, regaining ODI status and claiming the 13th position in the ODI league behind the 12 Full Members.

Another huge boost was the return of Ryan ten Doeschate, the 37-year-old star all-rounder and their highest run-getter, who last played for them in 2011.

"Just to come back and see how things have changed was refreshing and I was quite impressed to find my feet again,” ten Doeschate told ICC in an exclusive chat.

Considered one of the finest players produced by an Associate nation – remember his two centuries in the Cricket World Cup 2011? – ten Doeschate has proved his mettle around the globe. Apart from captaining Essex to the Division One Championship in England, he has played franchise cricket in India, Australia and New Zealand, among others.

He was confident that the experience of playing in big tournaments would help him and his team-mates in the “crucible” of the Qualifier.

“Playing in tournaments in front of big crowds, it helps you to get used to playing in pressure situations,” he said. “And this tournament will go down to who can handle pressure better.

"The Test teams, if they do not qualify, it will hurt them a lot. It will give an opportunity to the non-Test teams to qualify. I think it is going to be a pressure-driven crucible if you can put it that way, and hopefully having played a lot in those situations, it will help me and help the rest of the guys as well."

The Peter Borren-led Netherlands are in Group A of the Qualifier, along with Ireland and Windies, with just two spots still up for grabs in the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup.

“Everybody wants to play in the World Cup, it is the pinnacle," ten Doeschate said. "Getting the 13th spot was pretty big in Dubai, but I don't think anything comes close to playing the 50-over World Cup in England.”

The team was dealt a blow right before the tournament, when they lost Stephan Myburg, their experienced opener, to an ankle injury. He has been replaced by Bas de Leede, son of the former Netherlands captain Tim de Leede.

The situation was "not ideal", ten Doeschate admitted, but was confident in Myburg's replacement: “We have got a very capable replacement in Bas. He bowls a little bit too, so it might work out well depending on how the wickets play.”

The Netherlands start their campaign again Ireland on 4 March at the Old Hararians Sports Club.