Returning Dutch skipper has grounds for optimism
WALKING the streets of Geelong again has reignited feelings of nostalgia for Netherlands cricket captain Scott Edwards as he prepares for the T20 World Cup.
The wicketkeeper is no stranger to the region or its cricket grounds, having played for Highton in the GCA1 competition and Richmond in Victorian Premier Cricket.
“There’s definitely places here that have that home feel, things that jog the memory a little bit,” he said. “I had a couple of favourite places that I’m keen to show the boys, I’m pretty keen to head down ‘Pako’ again.”
Edwards made 195 runs in five innings during the 2021-22 season when playing for Highton, including a top score of 121 against North Geelong.
He also made big scores when travelling to Geelong while playing for Richmond in Premier cricket, including a 112 in the 2018-19 season.
But his 2022 visit to Geelong will be of a different nature, leading the Netherlands in a World Cup group.
Edwards said there was an “Australian flavour” to the Dutch squad, which gave him optimism of challenging some of the world’s best teams.
“We’ve got a bit of Australian flavour in our side, which is probably a benefit to an extent,” he said.
“It’s a bit of a unique story where I’ve played my cricket, having played in Perth, Richmond, Highton and now the Netherlands, but we’ve got three or four guys in the squad with experience all around the world.
“We’ve had a really good lead-in ... we’ve played seven warm-up games while other teams probably have struggled, so we’re pretty excited about it. It’s pretty cliche, it’s all about that first game against UAE, we didn’t have a successful campaign last World Cup so we’re looking to change that this time round.”
The Netherlands face United Arab Emirates on Sunday at Kardinia Park.