Writing exams and beating Full Members? Netherlands women eye more at T20 World Cup
The Netherlands head into their maiden Women's T20 World Cup believing they can compete with the sport's biggest teams after a historic win over Bangladesh. For a squad balancing studies, jobs, and cricket, the tournament is also a chance to earn franchise opportunities and keep their cricketing dreams alive.
"I think we really want to show the world, not only the Netherlands, but the world that we are good and that we should get asked for franchise cricket."
Those words from Netherlands fast bowler Isabel van der Woning, in an exclusive conversation with India Today, are about more than showcasing her own talent or that of her teammates. They reflect the next frontier for Dutch women's cricket.
When India captain Harmanpreet Kaur shared India's Women's ODI World Cup triumph with pioneers such as Mithali Raj, Anjum Chopra and Jhulan Goswami, it was an acknowledgement of the sacrifices made by an earlier generation. Long before central contracts, sold-out stadiums and multi-crore Women's Premier League (WPL) deals transformed the game, India's women cricketers balanced international cricket with studies, jobs and financial uncertainty.
If one can comprehend the gravity of that struggle, it becomes easier to understand what this Women's T20 World Cup means to associate nations, especially the Netherlands.
Set to play their maiden women’s global tournament, the Dutch are not merely preparing to face India, Australia, South Africa and Bangladesh. They are carrying the hopes of a generation of cricketers who continue to juggle studies, work and international cricket while chasing opportunities that players from Full Member nations often take for granted.
For some, a successful World Cup could mean recognition. For others, it could mean a franchise contract. For many, it could simply mean the chance to keep playing the game they love a little longer.
And after a historic victory over Bangladesh, their first win over a women's Full Member in years, the Netherlands head into the tournament believing they belong.
"We want to move some more mountains now," Captain Babette de Leede told India Today after the landmark result.
NETHERLANDS WOMEN MORE THAN UNDERDOGS
The Netherlands women's cricket team secured their first-ever T20I victory against an ICC full member nation on May 31, 2026, defeating Bangladesh by 8 runs during the Scotland Tri-Series.
The Bangladesh win was not merely another result in a warm-up series. For a side entering its maiden Women's T20 World Cup, it was proof that the gap between associate nations and the game's established powers is not as large as many believe.
"Beating Bangladesh, a Full Member, is massive for us," De Leede said.
"It's amazing to show the world the level of our cricket and how much we've improved over the last few years."
The confidence gained from that result is already shaping the team's outlook ahead of a daunting group featuring India, Australia, South Africa and Bangladesh.
"We're not just there to participate, we're there to compete," De Leede said.
Van der Woning echoed those sentiments.
"We knew if we really stood strong and played our best game, we had a chance to win [against Bangladesh]. I think that gives us confidence for the World Cup and that we can actually beat the bigger teams."
Yet the challenge facing the Netherlands extends beyond what happens on the field.
REALITY OF ASSOCIATE CRICKET
While full member nations arrive at global tournaments backed by professional contracts, full-time coaching staffs and extensive resources, the reality for many Netherlands players looks very different.
"Most of them are actually managing studies or jobs," De Leede revealed.
"One of our teammates [Frederique Overdijk] had to fly back after the first game against Bangladesh to take an exam tomorrow."
That balancing act is something Van der Woning knows all too well.
The fast bowler is currently completing a master's degree in occupational therapy and recently quit her restaurant job to focus on her thesis and World Cup preparations.
"The fact that I need to work next to my studies, to my cricket, that is the hardest part," she said. "Sometimes I really crave to get another session in or maybe sleep a bit longer because I'm really tired, but then you need to work because you also need to earn money."
De Leede believes those sacrifices often go unnoticed. "I have massive respect for all of them [teammates]. They make a lot of sacrifices."
The contrast becomes even clearer when the Dutch captain looks at the teams her side will face in England.
"The top teams are full-time professionals. They don't have to work or study on the side. The facilities and coaching staff they bring are on another level."
But rather than view it as a disadvantage, the Netherlands see it as motivation.
"We don't want to use it as an excuse," De Leede adds.
WHY THIS T20 WORLD CUP MATTERS?
For the Netherlands, the tournament represents more than a chance to pull off upsets.
It is an opportunity to change careers.
"We would love to play franchise cricket as well, especially because we don't get paid to play for the Netherlands," De Leede said. "It would be great if we could get some exposure and get some franchise cricket going on."
That aspiration runs through the dressing room.
"The World Cup is the best place to show your worth," Van der Woning said.
The 25-year-old Van der Woning hopes strong performances can help Dutch players break into franchise leagues around the world.
"We really want to show the world, not only the Netherlands, but the world that we are good and that we should get asked for franchise cricket," she adds.
Asked which competition she dreams of playing in, her answer came quickly.
"Definitely the WPL."
And if a team came calling?
"I would say RCB."
The fast bowler laughed before adding:
"I think I would literally do all the franchise cricket, to be fair. I just love the game. I just want to play."
That passion lies at the heart of the associate cricket experience. For many players, franchise opportunities are not simply about earning money. They are about buying time. Time to delay difficult decisions about careers, finances and life beyond cricket.
"Once you get closer to 30, I think you need to make a decision, like, do I want to work full time now, maybe buy a house," Van der Woning admitted. "I love the game so much that I want to make the sacrifice to not work full-time yet."
That is what makes this World Cup so significant. For the established powers, it is another shot at silverware. For the Netherlands, it is a chance to prove they belong on cricket's biggest stage, earn opportunities that could transform careers and perhaps inspire the next generation of girls back home.
They will arrive in England hoping to upset a few giants. But they are chasing something even bigger—the chance to ensure that cricket remains more than just a dream.
"I think we really want to show the world, not only the Netherlands, but the world that we are good and that we should get asked for franchise cricket."
Those words from Netherlands fast bowler Isabel van der Woning, in an exclusive conversation with India Today, are about more than showcasing her own talent or that of her teammates. They reflect the next frontier for Dutch women's cricket.
When India captain Harmanpreet Kaur shared India's Women's ODI World Cup triumph with pioneers such as Mithali Raj, Anjum Chopra and Jhulan Goswami, it was an acknowledgement of the sacrifices made by an earlier generation. Long before central contracts, sold-out stadiums and multi-crore Women's Premier League (WPL) deals transformed the game, India's women cricketers balanced international cricket with studies, jobs and financial uncertainty.
If one can comprehend the gravity of that struggle, it becomes easier to understand what this Women's T20 World Cup means to associate nations, especially the Netherlands.
Set to play their maiden women’s global tournament, the Dutch are not merely preparing to face India, Australia, South Africa and Bangladesh. They are carrying the hopes of a generation of cricketers who continue to juggle studies, work and international cricket while chasing opportunities that players from Full Member nations often take for granted.
For some, a successful World Cup could mean recognition. For others, it could mean a franchise contract. For many, it could simply mean the chance to keep playing the game they love a little longer.
And after a historic victory over Bangladesh, their first win over a women's Full Member in years, the Netherlands head into the tournament believing they belong.
"We want to move some more mountains now," Captain Babette de Leede told India Today after the landmark result.
NETHERLANDS WOMEN MORE THAN UNDERDOGS
The Netherlands women's cricket team secured their first-ever T20I victory against an ICC full member nation on May 31, 2026, defeating Bangladesh by 8 runs during the Scotland Tri-Series.
The Bangladesh win was not merely another result in a warm-up series. For a side entering its maiden Women's T20 World Cup, it was proof that the gap between associate nations and the game's established powers is not as large as many believe.
"Beating Bangladesh, a Full Member, is massive for us," De Leede said.
"It's amazing to show the world the level of our cricket and how much we've improved over the last few years."
The confidence gained from that result is already shaping the team's outlook ahead of a daunting group featuring India, Australia, South Africa and Bangladesh.
"We're not just there to participate, we're there to compete," De Leede said.
Van der Woning echoed those sentiments.
"We knew if we really stood strong and played our best game, we had a chance to win [against Bangladesh]. I think that gives us confidence for the World Cup and that we can actually beat the bigger teams."
Yet the challenge facing the Netherlands extends beyond what happens on the field.
REALITY OF ASSOCIATE CRICKET
While full member nations arrive at global tournaments backed by professional contracts, full-time coaching staffs and extensive resources, the reality for many Netherlands players looks very different.
"Most of them are actually managing studies or jobs," De Leede revealed.
"One of our teammates [Frederique Overdijk] had to fly back after the first game against Bangladesh to take an exam tomorrow."
That balancing act is something Van der Woning knows all too well.
The fast bowler is currently completing a master's degree in occupational therapy and recently quit her restaurant job to focus on her thesis and World Cup preparations.
"The fact that I need to work next to my studies, to my cricket, that is the hardest part," she said. "Sometimes I really crave to get another session in or maybe sleep a bit longer because I'm really tired, but then you need to work because you also need to earn money."
De Leede believes those sacrifices often go unnoticed. "I have massive respect for all of them [teammates]. They make a lot of sacrifices."
The contrast becomes even clearer when the Dutch captain looks at the teams her side will face in England.
"The top teams are full-time professionals. They don't have to work or study on the side. The facilities and coaching staff they bring are on another level."
But rather than view it as a disadvantage, the Netherlands see it as motivation.
"We don't want to use it as an excuse," De Leede adds.
WHY THIS T20 WORLD CUP MATTERS?
For the Netherlands, the tournament represents more than a chance to pull off upsets.
It is an opportunity to change careers.
"We would love to play franchise cricket as well, especially because we don't get paid to play for the Netherlands," De Leede said. "It would be great if we could get some exposure and get some franchise cricket going on."
That aspiration runs through the dressing room.
"The World Cup is the best place to show your worth," Van der Woning said.
The 25-year-old Van der Woning hopes strong performances can help Dutch players break into franchise leagues around the world.
"We really want to show the world, not only the Netherlands, but the world that we are good and that we should get asked for franchise cricket," she adds.
Asked which competition she dreams of playing in, her answer came quickly.
"Definitely the WPL."
And if a team came calling?
"I would say RCB."
The fast bowler laughed before adding:
"I think I would literally do all the franchise cricket, to be fair. I just love the game. I just want to play."
That passion lies at the heart of the associate cricket experience. For many players, franchise opportunities are not simply about earning money. They are about buying time. Time to delay difficult decisions about careers, finances and life beyond cricket.
"Once you get closer to 30, I think you need to make a decision, like, do I want to work full time now, maybe buy a house," Van der Woning admitted. "I love the game so much that I want to make the sacrifice to not work full-time yet."
That is what makes this World Cup so significant. For the established powers, it is another shot at silverware. For the Netherlands, it is a chance to prove they belong on cricket's biggest stage, earn opportunities that could transform careers and perhaps inspire the next generation of girls back home.
They will arrive in England hoping to upset a few giants. But they are chasing something even bigger—the chance to ensure that cricket remains more than just a dream.
