Ten Doeschate World Cup boost for Dutch

– World Cup spots for minor nations are at a premium with only 10 teams in next year’s edition and the return of Ryan ten Doeschate (right) significantly improves the chances of the Netherlands grabbing one at this month’s final qualifying tournament.

The free-hitting 37-year-old, discovered by former England captain Graham Gooch, is widely regarded as the best cricketer from a non-Test nation and last year led Essex to the county championship.

His return to the Dutch side for the first time since the 2011 World Cup is a huge boost to their hopes

Cape Town

of taking one of the two qualifying berths away from the 10-nation tournament that starts in Zimbabwe on Monday and runs to March 25.

“The Dutch association asked me to help out in the bid to qualify and I thought I’d give it another go and I’m really pleased I did,” the South African-born all-rounder said in an interview.

Ten Doeschate (right) was due to play in South Africa’s Global Twenty 20 competition at the end of last year but when it was cancelled he went with the Dutch team to Dubai where they won a place in the final qualifiers.

The Netherlands are paired with former World Cup winners West Indies as well as Ireland, Papua New Guinea and the United Arab Emirates in Group A in Harare.

The top three advance to a second round against the top three from Group B, which comprises Afghanistan, Hong Kong, Nepal, Scotland and hosts Zimbabwe, with the top two overall going to the World Cup in England next year.

The Dutch previously played at the 1996, 2003, 2007 and 2011 tournaments.

Ten Doeschate scored two centuries in 2011, against England and Ireland, and his hard hitting has made him a sought-after team- mate in the limited overs and Twenty20 competitions across the globe.

But his role in leading Essex to winning the Division Two and Division One titles in county cricket in successive seasons has emphasised his prowess in all forms of the game.

“It is the standout moment for me. Particularly after being promoted in 2016. It’s different to winning other competitions, like an Indian Premier League,” he said. – Reuters