Netherlands captain Babette de Leede has outlined a clear ambition for her side ahead of their historic debut at the ICC Women's T20 World Cup, which gets underway on 12 June in England and Wales. The Dutch skipper wants her team to win at least two matches and finish in the top eight — a result that would secure automatic qualification for the next edition of the tournament.

A Historic First Appearance

The Netherlands women's cricket team will make their maiden appearance at the Women's T20 World Cup when their campaign begins on 14 June. They have been placed in a challenging group alongside Australia, India, South Africa, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, entering the competition as the lowest-ranked side in the field.

Despite the daunting draw, de Leede sees the underdog status as a potential advantage. 'Our goal is to win at least two games and finish in the top eight to automatically qualify for the next T20 World Cup. It is exciting to play against some of the best teams in the world for the first time,' she said. 'Being the newcomers and underdogs, as the lowest-ranked team, might work in our favor to surprise some opponents and create some upsets. In any case, it will be valuable for us to meet some of our idols and learn from them,' de Leede added.

Preparation and Key Strengths

Ahead of the World Cup, the Netherlands are sharpening their preparations through a tri-series involving hosts Scotland and Bangladesh. De Leede pointed to team cohesion and collective depth as the squad's defining qualities going into the tournament.

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

Players to Watch

De Leede singled out two performers who have been in exceptional form since the qualifying campaign. Fast bowler Isabel van der Woning and top-order batter Sterre Kalis are the players she expects to make an impact on the global stage.

'Seamer Isabel van der Woning and top-order batter Sterre Kalis have been in great form since the Qualifier, so I am excited to see them shine at the World Cup,' de Leede noted. This is the first time either player will feature in a Women's T20 World Cup, adding to the significance of the occasion for Dutch cricket.

England as a Near-Home Advantage

With the tournament hosted in England, de Leede believes the conditions — and the crowd — could provide an additional lift. The climate and pitch characteristics in England closely mirror those in the Netherlands, giving the Dutch side a degree of familiarity that other associate nations may lack.

'The fact that the competition is in England is also very special. It feels almost like a home World Cup for us, with conditions similar to those in the Netherlands regarding pitches and weather. We expect a large crowd of orange at all our games, including friends, family, and other fans of Dutch cricket. It will be a unique experience that we are looking forward to,' she said.

As the Netherlands prepare to write the first chapter of their Women's T20 World Cup story, all eyes will be on whether de Leede's side can defy expectations and stake a claim among the tournament's top eight.