When the Dutch beat Simmo's Aussies

MUMBAI: Netherlands' shock win over England at Lord's in the ICC T20 opener brought memories of the fledgeling side which one began tracking when they came to India for World Cup 1996. And of a shock win over Australia way back in 1963.
The Dutch, in 1996, had warm-up games at the Brabourne Stadium and began showing glimpses of talent that could blossom. They had the oldest and the youngest of the tournament, 18-year-old Bas Zuiderant and 47-year-old West Indian Nolan Clarke. Both were disappointing.
The hopes were carried by Roland Lefebre who was a Somerset county player.
Netherlands' best moment came in 2003 when they gave India the jitters at Paarl. They had taken five wickets of India for 114 at Boland Parl, Paarl.
In the media box as one Indian wicket fell after another to the amiable pace of Tim de Leeds, Sim Barnes of The Times London and Mihir Bose of The Telegraph began putting money on a Dutch win. Well they had to be disappointed as Dinesh Mongia rescued India, taking them to 204. The Dutch collapsed for 136 but they had given notice of what damage they could do on another day as happened at Lord's.
Watching that game was a Dutch ex-player who had come to South Africa to do some wine business. He had been part of a Dutch team that beat a touring Australian side led by Bob Simpson in 1963.
Hero of the day Ruud Onstein, who now writes a column in the Dutch media, remembered well how his batting exploits lead to a humiliated Australian side. "We needed nine runs of the last six balls to be bowled. The first two balls went for two singles and on the third ball of the over I managed to hit a huge six. This meant we only needed one run to achieve a memorable victory over the Aussies. The very next ball I also hit out of the ground for four runs and we had done it! We had done what the English had failed to do the same summer: beat the mighty Australian Test team!"
In later games in 2003 one liked the approach of Dan Van Bunge. One with a Shane Warne look, the attacking Dan had a good knock against India 62 off 116 balls. He used the experience of South African conditions as he was playing for Stellenbosch University.
The Netherlands were crowned ICC trophy champions in 2001 when they beat Namibia to clinch a place in the 2003 World Cup. Roland Lefebre was the leading player of the tournament.
They took part in the ICC Champions trophy and European Cup without much success. Now they have qualified again as No 4 team for the 2011 World Cup. After the heady Lord's night, we shall see a different Dutch side on the field. And England will be left ruing the Kolpack rule which allows Euro players to play county cricket as home players. A price to pay for being a Mother Country.