Netherlands Announce Historic Squad for ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026
A Historic Milestone for Dutch Cricket
The landscape of international women’s cricket is set to witness a historic moment next month. The Netherlands women’s cricket team is preparing for their maiden appearance at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, scheduled to take place in England and Wales. This monumental achievement follows a grueling yet successful qualification campaign at the Global Qualifiers in Nepal earlier this year, where the Dutch side proved their mettle against the best emerging nations.
The Road to the World Stage
Qualifying for a 12-team tournament is no small feat. The Dutch women, often referred to as the ‘Women in Orange,’ were among the four teams—alongside Bangladesh, Ireland, and Scotland—who navigated the challenging longer qualification route. Their performance in the Super Six of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Global Qualifiers was nothing short of clinical, securing three victories in three matches under the inspired leadership of captain Babette de Leede.
Captain and Coach Perspectives
The anticipation within the camp is palpable. Speaking on the historic qualification, captain Babette de Leede expressed the team’s collective enthusiasm: “We are super excited for our first-ever appearance in the ICC T20 World Cup. It will be a great opportunity to compete with the best teams in the world, and to show the talent that we have in the Netherlands on the big stage.”
De Leede also emphasized the advantage of the tournament location, adding, “Because the T20 World Cup is played close to our home, in England, we expect a big orange crowd and a lot of support. It will be an experience of a lifetime, not just for us as a team, but also for our families, friends, and everyone who has Dutch women’s cricket at heart.”
Coach Neil MacRae is equally optimistic about the squad’s composition. He noted that the team selection reflects a strategic blend of youth and experience, building on the consistency shown during various ICC Qualifying Tournaments and the Emerging Nations Tournament over the past year.
The Squad Breakdown
The Netherlands has named a formidable lineup capable of challenging the established giants of the game. At the heart of the batting order are experienced campaigners who have collectively scored thousands of runs in the shortest format:
- Babette de Leede (Captain)
- Sterre Kalis
- Robine Rijke
- Heather Siegers
On the bowling front, the team looks to their most reliable asset, Iris Zwilling. As the nation’s all-time leading wicket-taker, Zwilling enters the tournament with a personal milestone in sight, needing just a few more scalps to reach 100 WT20I wickets. Supporting her are seasoned bowlers Caroline de Lange and Hannah Landheer, who provide the stability needed to defend totals in a high-pressure environment.
Full Squad List:
Babette de Leede (c), Caroline de Lange, Frédérique Overdijk, Hannah Landheer, Heather Siegers, Iris Zwilling, Isabel van der Woning, Lara Leemhuis, Myrthe van den Raad, Phebe Molkenboer, Robine Rijke, Rosalie Lawrence, Sanya Khurana, Silver Siegers, Sterre Kalis.
Facing the Giants: The Group Stage Challenge
The Netherlands has been drawn into a highly competitive Group 1. The path ahead is steep, featuring cricketing powerhouses like India, Australia, and South Africa. However, the Dutch side remains focused on the opportunities within their reach, specifically targeting positive results against group rivals Bangladesh and Pakistan. As the tournament begins on June 12, the cricketing world will be watching to see if the Netherlands can translate their recent qualifying form into historic upsets on the global stage. This is a defining moment for the sport in the Netherlands, and the entire nation stands behind the Women in Orange as they aim to make their mark.
