Netherlands Cricket — Europe's Associate Rising Force Explained
The Netherlands is one of Europe's leading cricket nations, with a rich history and famous upset wins — including beating England in the 2022 T20 World Cup.
Cricket in the Netherlands
The Netherlands has played cricket since the 19th century, with Dutch cricket clubs tracing their history to British influence. The Royal Dutch Cricket Association (KNCB) was founded in 1883. The Netherlands has appeared at multiple cricket World Cups and is one of Europe's strongest non-Test nations. Their players are part-time professionals, combining cricket with other careers, yet regularly compete credibly against Full Members.
Famous Upsets
The Netherlands produced one of cricket's greatest upsets at the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia, beating defending champions England by 6 wickets in Adelaide. Bas de Leede took 4/35 and Paul van Meekeren bowled Dawid Malan to trigger England's collapse. They were bowled out for 86, with Netherlands chasing it down in 14.3 overs. The win contributed to England's group-stage exit — their worst T20 World Cup campaign.
Key Players
Ryan ten Doeschate — one of the world's finest associate cricketers — played for the Netherlands until retiring in 2022, having also played Essex in county cricket. Pieter Seelaar captained Netherlands in multiple ICC events. Modern stars like Bas de Leede (son of Tim de Leede) and Vikramjit Singh represent the next generation of Dutch cricket.
Frequently asked questions
Has Netherlands ever beaten England in cricket?
Yes — Netherlands beat England by 6 wickets at the 2022 T20 World Cup in Adelaide. England made just 86, dismissed in 14.1 overs. Netherlands chased it in 14.3 overs.