'Scott has done a great job': De Leede pays tribute to Edwards after taking over as Dutch captain
Amsterdam, Aug 1
Incoming Netherlands captain Bas de Leede showered high praise on outgoing skipper Scott Edwards for his excellent leadership over the past four years, saying that he did a great job and expressed delight at the veteran wicketkeeper-batter continuing to serve the national team as a player.
Edwards stepped down as the captain of the Netherlands after a four-year tenure of 56 ODIs that began in June 2022, after Pieter Seelar retired from international cricket due to back issues. His tenure as captain concluded with the Utrecht leg of the CWC League 2 games on Friday.
Seam-bowling all-rounder de Leede will now take over the reins, starting with the remainder of the CWC League 2 cycle. Interestingly, de Leede's cousin sister Babette de Leede is the current skipper of the Netherlands women's cricket team, who played in their first-ever Women's T20 World Cup in June.
"Scott has done a great job as our captain. He is a clear communicator and taught us to rely on our abilities. I am very happy that he will remain available as a player, because his performances over the past week during the World Cup qualifiers in Utrecht were phenomenal once again. On behalf of the players, I thank Scott for his excellent leadership over the past four years," De Leede said in a statement by the Royal Dutch Cricket Association (KNCB).
Under the captaincy of Edwards, the Netherlands won 24 of their 56 ODIs. The crowning moments of his ODI captaincy came at the 2023 World Cup in India, where the Netherlands achieved historic victories over South Africa in Dharamsala and Bangladesh in Kolkata.
His tenure in T20Is, where he captained in 50 games, was equally memorable. Most notably, Edwards led the side to the Super 12 stage of the 2022 T20 World Cup, securing wins over Zimbabwe and a sensational upset over South Africa that knocked the Proteas out of the tournament.
"Being captain of the Dutch team was a great honour. But I feel that I can offer the team much more as a player. I am handing over the captain's role with the utmost confidence to Bas de Leede, who can continue to count on me as a player for the national team," said Edwards.
The Netherlands currently sit in second place on the CWC League 2 standings and trail leaders USA. With the top four sides at the conclusion of the tournament earning direct entry into the World Cup qualifiers, the Netherlands will look to seal their berth during their final leg of matches against Oman and the UAE later this year.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Lovely to see the Dutch team growing so much in world cricket. Scott Edwards was a fantastic leader - that T20 World Cup win over South Africa in 2022 was one of the most thrilling upsets I've ever watched. The way he remained calm and led from the front was inspiring. Also wonderful that his cousin is captaining the women's team - what a talented family! 👏
As someone who watched the Netherlands play in the 2023 World Cup here in India, I can say the atmosphere in the stadiums when they beat South Africa was electric! Edwards deserves all the praise. But I'm slightly concerned about the timing of this captaincy change - with the League 2 standings so tight, a transition might disrupt their momentum. Hope de Leede proves me wrong!
What a classy transition of leadership! Scott Edwards stepping down but staying as a player shows his commitment to the team, not his ego. That's the kind of selfless attitude we need more of in sports. And Bas de Leede's comments about "teaching us to rely on our abilities" really shows the kind of confidence Edwards instilled in his team. Best wishes to both from a cricket lover in Bengaluru! 🌟
Interesting to see the Dutch cricket team making waves globally. I remember watching their 2023 World Cup campaign and being genuinely impressed by their fighting spirit. Edwards was a dignified captain, and it's good to see him handling the transition with such grace. The Netherlands cricket story is one of the most heartwarming in the sport.
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