Pay cuts, big dreams: Dutch still eying T20 World Cup upsets

CHENNAI: Two years ago in Dharamshala, the Netherlands walked South Africa into a World Cup ambush and beat them by 38 runs, one of the 2023 ODI World Cup’s standout upsets. The Dutch are back in India now, hoping the next surprise is only weeks away. The T20 World Cup begins on Feb 7 and the Netherlands have arrived early to get a feel of the conditions, training at the Super Kings Academy in Chennai. Their groupstage schedule includes a high-profile clash against India on Feb 18. A good performance at a global event for the minnows is hard enough even when everything off the field is smooth. For the Netherlands, it rarely is.

Fast bowler Paul van Meekeren, one of the key figures in the famous win over South Africa, said the players have again had to take pay cuts. “We had to sacrifice a bit of our salary again this year. We can’t really find that main sponsor, can’t find that business that really wants to go on a journey with us for the next two or three years. Instead of a 12-month contract, it has become a nine-month contract now,” van Meekeren told TOI.



The 33-year-old said the team has gained valuable experience over the last few years and believes they can hold their own in this year’s showpiece event. “Before the last ODI World Cup, everyone said we would lose every single game. From there, to walk away with two wins and compete in a lot of the games showed the strength of this team. It’s another exciting opportunity to come to a country where they live and breathe cricket.

“This is my sixth World Cup, and we have a lot of experience in our team now. The starstruck feeling from playing the big teams is gone, so now I think we can focus a bit more on ourselves. We would like more support from the ICC to keep developing the team. It is crucial that the guys get good contracts and focus full-time on cricket. But yes, we keep coming, keep grinding away,” he said.

Financial challenges are nothing new for van Meekeren. During the pandemic, after losing his contract in English county cricket, he even worked as a food delivery driver to make ends meet. A few years from now, he plans to step away from the game and explore life beyond cricket. “We’re not in a place like India where players can retire, make their money, and do whatever they want. I may probably be back on the market, looking for a part-time job,” he laughed. “Hopefully I have another four years left in me, a little bit more. But there’s going to be a life after cricket.”










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