Bas de Leede takes over as Netherlands captain, hails Scott Edwards' 4-year legacy
Synopsis
Scott Edwards' four-year Netherlands captaincy — marked by historic World Cup wins over South Africa and Bangladesh — has ended, with Bas de Leede taking the reins. Notably, De Leede's cousin Babette already captains the Dutch women's side, making this a rare moment of family leadership across both national cricket teams.
Key Takeaways
Bas de Leede has been named the new Netherlands cricket captain, effective from the remaining CWC League 2 matches.
Scott Edwards stepped down after four years and 56 ODIs as captain, winning 24 of them.
Edwards' standout moments include wins over South Africa and Bangladesh at the 2023 ODI World Cup in India .
De Leede's cousin Babette de Leede captains the Netherlands women's cricket team , who played their first-ever Women's T20 World Cup in June .
The Netherlands are second in CWC League 2 standings, trailing USA , and will face Oman and the UAE in their final leg.
Seam-bowling all-rounder Bas de Leede has been named the new captain of the Netherlands cricket team, succeeding Scott Edwards, who stepped down after a four-year tenure spanning 56 ODIs. De Leede will assume the captaincy starting with the remaining matches of the ICC Cricket World Cup (CWC) League 2 cycle, as confirmed by the Royal Dutch Cricket Association (KNCB) on 1 August.
Edwards Steps Down After Four-Year Tenure
Scott Edwards took over as Netherlands captain in June 2022 following the retirement of Pieter Seelar due to back issues. His final assignment as skipper concluded with the Utrecht leg of the CWC League 2 matches on Friday. Over his tenure, Edwards led the Netherlands in 56 ODIs, winning 24 of them, and captained the side in 50 T20 Internationals.
The crowning moments of his captaincy came at the 2023 ODI World Cup in India, where the Netherlands registered historic victories over South Africa in Dharamsala and Bangladesh in Kolkata. In T20Is, Edwards guided the side to the Super 12 stage of the 2022 T20 World Cup, including a sensational upset win over South Africa that knocked the Proteas out of the tournament.
De Leede Pays Tribute to Outgoing Skipper
De Leede was effusive in his praise for his predecessor, crediting Edwards for fostering self-belief within the squad. 'Scott has done a great job as our captain. He is a clear communicator and taught us to rely on our abilities. I am very happy that he will remain available as a player, because his performances over the past week during the World Cup qualifiers in Utrecht were phenomenal once again. On behalf of the players, I thank Scott for his excellent leadership over the past four years,' De Leede said in a KNCB statement.
Edwards, who will continue to serve the Netherlands as a wicketkeeper-batter, also expressed confidence in his successor. 'Being captain of the Dutch team was a great honour. But I feel that I can offer the team much more as a player. I am handing over the captain's role with the utmost confidence to Bas de Leede, who can continue to count on me as a player for the national team,' he said.
A Family Affair in Dutch Cricket
De Leede's appointment carries a notable family dimension: his cousin Babette de Leede is the current skipper of the Netherlands women's cricket team, who made history by participating in their first-ever Women's T20 World Cup in June. The de Leede name now leads both Dutch national sides simultaneously.
Netherlands' CWC League 2 Standings and What's Next
The Netherlands currently sit in second place in the CWC League 2 standings, trailing leaders USA. The top four teams at the conclusion of the tournament earn direct entry into the World Cup qualifiers. Under De Leede's captaincy, the Netherlands will play their final leg of matches against Oman and the UAE later this year, with a qualifier berth firmly in their sights.
Point of View
Upsetting South Africa twice across formats, and reaching the Super 12s of a T20 World Cup represents a genuine overperformance relative to resources. De Leede inherits a squad with momentum and a qualification target within reach, but also the pressure of sustaining results that Edwards built over four years. The fact that both Dutch national captaincies now carry the de Leede name is a curious footnote — but the real story is whether Netherlands can convert their CWC League 2 position into a World Cup qualifier berth, which would be the next marker of cricketing ambition for a nation punching well above its weight.
NationPress
1 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Scott Edwards step down as Netherlands cricket captain?
Scott Edwards stepped down after a four-year tenure to focus on contributing more as a player. He stated he felt he could offer the team more in a playing role and handed over the captaincy with full confidence in Bas de Leede.
Who is Bas de Leede and why was he chosen as Netherlands captain?
Bas de Leede is a seam-bowling all-rounder who has been a key member of the Netherlands cricket setup. He was chosen to lead the side starting with the remainder of the CWC League 2 cycle, as confirmed by the Royal Dutch Cricket Association (KNCB).
What were Scott Edwards' biggest achievements as Netherlands captain?
Edwards led the Netherlands to historic ODI World Cup wins over South Africa in Dharamsala and Bangladesh in Kolkata at the 2023 World Cup in India. In T20Is, he guided the side to the Super 12 stage of the 2022 T20 World Cup, including a famous upset over South Africa.
What is the Netherlands' current position in CWC League 2?
The Netherlands are currently second in the CWC League 2 standings, trailing leaders USA. The top four teams earn direct entry into the World Cup qualifiers, and the Netherlands will play their final matches against Oman and the UAE later this year.
Is there a family connection in Dutch cricket captaincy?
Yes. Bas de Leede's cousin Babette de Leede is the current captain of the Netherlands women's cricket team, who participated in their first-ever Women's T20 World Cup in June, making the de Leede family the leaders of both Dutch national cricket sides.
