Zimbabwe to play warm up matches in Dubai?

[zimfan1]

Dutch announce their 15-man World Cup squad

There are few surprises in the 15-man World Cup squad which the Dutch selectors named on Friday.

Ten of those who took part in the recent training camp in India have been included in the party, and they are joined by Tom Cooper, Ryan ten Doeschate, Bas Zuiderent, Eric Szwarczynski and Brad Kruger, none of whom was available for that trip.

Among the missing names are those of Mark and Maurits Jonkman. Mark is currently suspended from international cricket because of an illegal bowling action and the selectors have decided not to risk including his identical twin brother Maurits.

The KNCB’s announcement of the squad states that the Jonkmans are undergoing ‘a remodelling programme, and there is insufficient time to complete this before the start of the World Cup.

’They have made good progress under the guidance of bowling coach Neil Killeen, and the aim is for them to make a reappearance during next summer’s CB40 competition.’

Chairman of selectors Darrin Murray said on Friday that it was a team with a strong track record in one-day cricket.

’Recent results, including victories over Bangladesh and Zimbabwe, show that we have made a great deal of progress in 50-over cricket,’ Murray said, ‘and this side will be striving to maintain that form during the World Cup.

’The squad includes three younger players, in Barresi, Westdijk and Kruger, who have claimed their place in the team through their commitment to developing their game and their performances in the middle.’

Murray stressed that the selectors were determined to keep a balance between players who play in the Dutch competition and those produced in ‘traditional cricket countries’, while introducing younger talents when possible.

’A large number of Dutch-based players have been given the opportunity during 2010 to establish their place in the side,’ the KNCB statement points out.

The squad’s batting is encouragingly strong, with Worcestershire’s Alexei Kervezee and Essex allrounder Ryan ten Doeschate joined by South Australia’s Tom Cooper. With former Sussex batsman Bas Zuiderent and ex-Eastern Transvaal batsman-wicketkeeper Wesley Barresi also in the top six, and Eric Szwarczynski, who has made seven half-centuries in his 30 ODIs, and Tom de Grooth included as well, it is arguably the most powerful batting line-up to represent the Netherlands.

Peter Borren and Mudassar Bukhari, both potential hard hitters, give further depth to the middle order, and there are reasonable grounds for hoping that the Dutch will be able to post decent totals against their Full member opponents.

There are, inevitably, more question marks against the bowling, especially in the absence of the Jonkman twins. The leading candidates for the new ball will be Bukhari, Bernard Loots, and Berend Westdijk, the latter having reportedly shown signs of great progress during the recent trip to India.

Bradley Kruger, who played eight matches for the national side last summer without having a huge impact, is the fourth seamer in the squad, with Ten Doeschate and Borren also likely to bowl important spells. Ten Doeschate has 48 wickets in his 27 ODIs, at an average of 20.93, while Borren has 35 at 33.25.

The frontline spinners are Pieter Seelaar and Adeel Raja, with Muhammad Kashif the one to miss out. Back-up will probably be provided by Cooper, although his off-breaks are not regularly called on for his Australian State side.
The full squad is:
Peter Borren (VRA, captain)
Bas Zuiderent (VOC, vice-captain)
Adeel Raja (VRA)
Wesley Barresi (VRA)
Atse Buurman (VRA)
Tom Cooper (South Australia)
Ryan ten Doeschate (Essex)
Tom de Grooth (HCC)
Alexei Kervezee (Worcestershire)
Bradley Kruger (Bradford/Leeds UCCE)
Bernard Loots (HCC)
Mudassar Bukhari (ACC)
Pieter Seelaar (Hermes-DVS)
Eric Szwarczynski (VRA)
Berend Westdijk (HBS)

Non-travelling reserves:
Tom Heggelman (Excelsior ’20)
Andrew Hoogstraten (VOC)
Muhammad Kashif (West of Scotland)

The side begins its campaign with two warm-up matches in Dubai on 6 and 8 February, against Canada and Zimbabwe respectively, and will then move on to Pallekele in Sri Lanka, where they play Sri Lanka on 12 February and Kenya three days later.

The first match of the World Cup proper is against England in Nagpur on 22 February.

http://www.cricketeurope4.net/DATABASE/ ... 5269.shtml

[sloandog]

That's a very strong squad they've put out, a very strong squad !