No World Cup for Dutch U19 despite brilliant fight
Published at 06 August, 2025The Netherlands U19s will not be going to the World Cup. They dominated large parts of the match against Scotland, but in crucial moments the hosts proved slightly smarter: 237-217.
After winning the toss, the Netherlands sent Scotland in. At 93/0 (Pillinger 52), this seemed a mistake, but the Dutch team recovered and brought the Scottish score to 129/4.
Good bowling and ground fielding – including from Shirsak Banerjee at backward point – prevented Scotland from reaching 275, but instead posted a manageable 237 as offspinner Cedric de Lange excelled with 4-29.
The Dutch U19s did not have a good start batting-wise (8/2). Teun Kloppenburg and Tom de Leede, however, batted calmly and were cruising risk-free until Kloppenburg (38) hit a ball to the cow corner boundary: 108/4 and Scotland back in the match. Tom de Leede (67) brought the score to 173/6 with Steele Grooteman.
Wickets, however, kept falling just a little too early from the Dutch perspective (Grooteman 21), and at 199/9 the match seemed over. Aaditt Jain (28 not out) and Alejo Nota were in the middle of a fantastic partnership for the final wicket when Nota was caught behind and the Scots celebrated an unlike victory.
The Netherlands U19 can still be proud of this achievement. Scotland and the Netherlands stood head and shoulders above the rest in the tournament. It is a shame that, despite the minimal difference in quality, this talented group of players is now denied the opportunity at the highest international youth level. Hopefully, the ICC will take steps to expand the number of World Cup participants in the future.
