NEWS
Follow UsThe Netherlands have had the wood over Nepal in recent times, having beaten them a couple of times, more recently in Nepal when they beat the hosts in the T20 International (T20I) tri-series final in Kirtipur.
The Dutch will get their T20 World Cup 2024 campaign underway against them at the Grand Prairie Stadium, Dallas and head coach Ryan Cook believes his side can put their recent success against Nepal to use in this crucial fixture on June 4 (Tuesday).
"We've had a couple of good games against Nepal recently. A great series that we had in Nepal and the two teams matched up really well. A couple of changes to the Netherlands team, obviously due to availability of certain players. So, we've got a couple of new guys into the team that wouldn't have played in that previous series. So, looking forward to seeing how they go tomorrow," Cook said ahead of the first game.
Cook also had kind words for his opponents, praising their rise over the years. "Nepal over the last couple of years has been a team on the rise. We've played against them recently and there's lots of nuances to their team. They've got a lot of all-rounders, a lot of depth, a lot of bowling options. So, they're obviously improving day by day, much like we are as a team. So that's why I think the teams are matched up really well," Cook said.
Dallas hosted the first match of the T20 World Cup 2024, with co-hosts taking on neighbours Canada. It was a superb pitch to bat on, that saw US successfully chase down 195, after struggling to get going initially. That has given Cook and the Netherlands a fair idea of what to expect.
"I think watching the USA and Canada match gave us a pretty good idea of what to expect. The guys have had a bit of practice on the ball through wickets and a lot of feedback between the teams has come back and forth around what will be effective here," the 38-year-old said.
"So, it's just assessing it on the day, each time it's a little different. Really nice big square boundaries and really nice outfield. I'm very impressed with the facilities actually and it's going to be a good game for both teams."
Cook expects a lot of noise from the Nepal supporters during the game, and has lauded them for the sort of support they have offered their team over the years.
"We had Andrew Leonard commentating on our Tri-series against Scotland and Ireland and he kept saying that it's been sold out for weeks. So, I'm sure there will be a big Nepali crowd tomorrow. We'll rock up with a small amount of orange that we have, but I know everyone will be behind us back home and we don't expect as much support," Cook said.
"We've played in front of the Nepali crowd before. They are extremely respectful and they support cricket as much as they support their own team. I think that's just such a good thing for the game. So, yeah, looking forward to embracing the crowd that comes tomorrow."
The Dutch are not short of experience. They have competed well in the last couple of World Cups and also beat Sri Lanka recently in a warm-up game. Cook says his side are up for the challenge.
"I think all the games in this tournament are big games. You're seeing already in the tournament how many teams are sort of competing with each other and beating each other. So, every game is a big game and you've got to just treat every game as it comes," Cook reckons
"Obviously, this game, we know the Nepal team quite well because we've played against them recently. But we've also played against South Africa, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka very recently as well as you mentioned in the 50-over World Cup and in the qualifiers. So really looking forward to our group and I'm sure there'll be a lot of jostling within the group."
Following the game against Nepal, the Dutch will take on South Africa (June 8), Bangladesh (June 13) and Sri Lanka on June (16) in Group D.
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