Netherlands captain reveals goal for side at T20 World Cup

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Netherlands captain Babette de Leede has revealed her team is aiming to win two games and finish in the top eight at the upcoming ICC Women's T20 World Cup.

The European side will make their tournament debut at this year's edition of the T20 World Cup that commences on June 12, with five fixtures awaiting them in England and Wales in a difficult group that consists of Australia, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and South Africa.

And while the odds may be stacked against the talented Dutch side, de Leede is confident her team can mix it with the tournament heavyweights and is targeting two victories from their five matches.

"Our goal is to win at least two games and end in the top eight, so that we automatically qualify for the next T20 World Cup," de Leede said in her column for the ICC.

"It is great to have the opportunity to play against some of the best teams in the world for the first time.  

"Playing as the newcomer and underdogs, as the lowest-ranked team, might work in our favour to surprise some teams and cause some upsets. 

"In any event, it will be valuable for us to meet some of our idols and learn from them."

The Netherlands are currently involved in a tri-series against hosts Scotland and Asian side Bangladesh which will provide de Leede and her teammates some valuable match practice ahead of their opening match at the tournament on June 14.

De Leede said morale in the Netherlands squad was high and believes the team can achieve some good results if they can replicate the form that saw them finish fourth in the Qualifier event at the start of the year that helped them earn a place at the T20 World Cup for the first time.

"Our biggest strength is that we really play as a team. We know each other very well, we are friends off the field, and we want each other to succeed," de Leede said.

"The team is also very talented. In the Qualifier, different players stood out in every game which was great to see. I expect the same in the World Cup. 

"Seamer Isabel van der Woning (our fast bowler) and top-order batter Sterre Kalis have been in particularly great form since the Qualifier, so I am very excited to see them shine at the World Cup."

And de Leede is hoping the fact the tournament will be held in Europe and so close to many of their friends and family in the Netherlands, will lead to plenty of support in the crowd across the event.

"The fact the competition is happening in England is also very special," she added.

"It is almost like a home World Cup for us, with conditions similar to those in the Netherlands in terms of pitches and the weather. 

"We expect a big orange crowd at all of our games consisting of friends, family, and other fans of Dutch cricket. 

"It will be a unique experience which we are very much looking forward to."

Netherlands squad: Babette de Leede (c), Caroline de Lange, Frédérique Overdijk, Hannah Landheer, Heather Siegers, Iris Zwilling, Isabel van der Woning, Lara Leemhuis, Myrthe van den Raad, Phebe Molkenboer, Robine Rijke, Rosalie Lawrence, Sanya Khurana, Silver Siegers, Sterre Kalis