Writing exams and beating regular members? Dutch women watch T20 World Cup more

“I think we really want to show the world, not just the Netherlands but the whole world, that we are good and that we should be asked for franchise cricket.”

These words of Dutch fast bowler Isabel van der Woning in an exclusive interview with India Today are about more than showcasing her own talent or that of her teammates. They represent another frontier for Dutch women’s cricket.

When Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur shared Winning the Women’s ODI World Cup in India with trailblazers like Mithali RajAnjum Chopra and Jhulan Goswami, it was a recognition of the sacrifices made by earlier generations. Long before the central contracts, sell-out stadiums and multi-million dollar deals of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) transformed the game, Indian women cricketers balanced international cricket with studies, jobs and financial insecurity.

If one can understand the gravity of this struggle, it will be easier to understand what this T20 Women’s World Cup means for the association of nations, especially the Netherlands. Dutch fast player Isabel Van der Woning in action (Photo: Instagaram/@xisabelvanderwoning)

The Netherlands, who are about to play their first women’s global tournament, are not just preparing to face India, Australia, South Africa and Bangladesh. They carry the hopes of a generation of cricketers who continue to juggle studies, work and international cricket while chasing opportunities that players from Full Member nations often take for granted.

For some, a successful World Cup can mean recognition. For others, it may mean a franchise agreement. For many, it could simply mean a chance to play the game they love a little longer.

And after a historic win over Bangladesh, their first win over a full women’s team in years, the Netherlands head into the tournament confident they belong here.

“We want to move some more mountains now,” captain Babette de Leede told India Today after the landmark result.

NETHERLANDS WOMEN MORE THAN FOOTSTEPS

On 31 May 2026, the Netherlands women’s cricket team secured their first ever T20I win against an ICC full member by defeating Bangladesh by 8 runs during the Scotland tri-series.

The victory in Bangladesh was not just another result in the warm-up series. For a side entering their first Women’s T20 World Cupwas proof that the gulf between the associated nations and the established powers of the game is not as great as many believe.

“To beat Bangladesh, a full member, is massive for us,” De Leede said.

“It’s amazing to show the world the level of our cricket and how much we’ve improved over the last few years.” Dutch captain Babbette de Leede celebrates scoring with Heather Siegers (Photo: Instagram/ @babettedeleede)

The confidence gained from this result is already shaping the team’s prospects ahead of a daunting group comprising India, Australia, South Africa and Bangladesh.

“We’re not just there to participate, we’re there to compete,” De Leede said.

Van der Woning echoed these sentiments.

“We knew that if we really stood strong and played our best game, we had a chance to win (against Bangladesh). I think it gives us confidence going into the World Cup and that we can really beat the bigger teams.”

But the challenge facing the Netherlands goes beyond what happens on the pitch.

THE REALITY OF CONNECTED CRICKET

While full member states arrive at global tournaments with professional contracts, full-time coaching staffs and vast resources, the reality for many Dutch players looks very different.

“Most of them actually manage studies or jobs,” De Leede revealed.

“One of our teammates (Frederique Overdijk) had to fly back after the first game against Bangladesh to have a trial tomorrow.” Dutch women’s cricket captain Babbette de Leede after completing her championships (Photo: Instagram/ @babettedeleede)

This balancing act is something Van der Woning knows all too well.

The fast bowler is currently completing a master’s degree in occupational therapy and recently quit her job at a restaurant to pursue her thesis and prepare for the World Cup.

“The fact that I need to work alongside my studies, with my cricket, is the hardest part,” she said. “Sometimes I really want another session or maybe sleep a little longer because I’m really tired, but then you have to work because you have to make money too.”

De Leede believes these victims often go unnoticed. “I have tremendous respect for all of them (teammates). They sacrifice a lot.”

The contrast is even more stark when the Netherlands captain looks at the teams her side will face in England.

“The top teams are full-time professionals. They don’t have to work or study on the side. The facilities and the coaching staff they bring are on another level.”

However, the Netherlands sees this as an incentive rather than a disadvantage.

“We don’t want to use that as an excuse,” adds De Leede.

WHY DOES THIS T20 WORLD CUP MATTER?

For the Netherlands, the tournament represents more than just a chance for an upset.

It’s an opportunity to change careers.

“We would also like to play franchise cricket, especially as we are not getting paid for Holland,” said De Leede. “It would be great if we could get some exposure and get some franchise cricket going.

That aspiration runs through the locker room.

“The World Cup is the best place to show your worth,” Van der Woning said.

Van der Woning, 25, hopes strong performances will help the Dutch players break into franchise leagues around the world.

“We really want to show the world, not just the Netherlands but the world, that we are good and that we should be asked for franchise cricket,” he adds. Dutch women’s cricket celebrates qualifying for their first T20 Women’s World Cup (Photo: Instagram/@babettedeleede)

When asked in which competition he dreams of playing, the answer came quickly.

“Definitely WPL.

What if the team called?

“I would say RCB.

The fast bowler laughed before adding:

“I think I would literally do all of cricket to be fair. I just love the game. I just want to play.”

This passion lies at the heart of the associate cricket experience. For many players, franchise opportunities are not just about making money. It’s about buying them time. Time to shelve difficult decisions about career, finances and life outside cricket.

“Once you get close to 30, I think you have to decide, like, I want to work full-time now, maybe buy a house,” Van der Woning admitted. “I love the game so much that I want to sacrifice myself and not work full-time yet.

That’s why this World Cup is so important. It’s another silver bullet for the established powers. It’s a chance for the Netherlands to prove they belong on cricket’s biggest stage, get some potentially career-changing opportunities and perhaps inspire the next generation of girls back home.

They come to England hoping to piss off a few giants. But he is chasing something even bigger – a chance to ensure cricket remains more than just a dream.

– The end

Published on:

10 Jun 2026 09:00 IST