The Netherlands men’s cricket team is set for a new era after Scott Edwards announced his decision to step down as captain. The leadership change was officially confirmed by the Royal Dutch Cricket Association (KNCB) through a video shared on social media following the conclusion of the Utrecht leg of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2 on Friday.
Star all-rounder Bas de Leede has been appointed as the new captain and will lead the Dutch side for the remaining League 2 fixtures against Oman and the United Arab Emirates.
Speaking to his teammates after the match against Namibia, Edwards revealed that the decision had been discussed with head coach Ryan Cook and felt like the right moment in his career.
“I’m actually stepping down from the captaincy from here. I feel like I’ve got so much more to offer as a player, and that’s my goal going forward. This is such a special group, and I’m really excited about what’s to come,” Edwards said.
Edwards took over the Netherlands captaincy in June 2022 and enjoyed one of the most successful leadership tenures in Dutch cricket history. During his time as skipper, he led the team in 56 One-Day Internationals and 50 T20 Internationals, guiding the Netherlands to several memorable victories on the global stage.
Among the highlights of his captaincy were stunning wins over South Africa and Bangladesh during the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023. He also captained the Dutch side to famous victories against Zimbabwe and South Africa at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022, with the triumph over the Proteas knocking them out of the tournament in one of the biggest upsets in T20 World Cup history.
Newly appointed captain Bas de Leede paid an emotional tribute to Edwards, thanking him for his leadership and unwavering belief in the team.
On behalf of the players, you’ve led us into some incredible battles over the years.
Thank you for believing in us, even when some of us didn’t believe in ourselves. The confidence and clarity you gave this group made us better players and a stronger team,” De Leede said.
The Netherlands currently sit second in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2 standings, keeping them firmly on course for a place in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027 Qualifier. With Bas de Leede now taking over the captaincy, the Dutch will look to build on the strong foundation laid by Scott Edwards as they continue their journey towards the 2027 World Cup.
