Scott Edwards has given up the Netherlands captaincy after leading the side through 56 One-Day Internationals since June 2022, with allrounder Bas de Leede stepping into the role starting with the remaining fixtures of the CWC League 2 campaign.
The decision was confirmed following the conclusion of the Utrecht leg of the tournament and comes at a stage when the Dutch side sits in a strong position on the League 2 standings.
Edwards informed his teammates of the decision through a video shared by the Royal Dutch Cricket Association, describing the choice as one he had discussed over time with former head coach Ryan Cook and others close to the setup. He told the squad that stepping away from captaincy would allow him to focus more fully on his own game while still contributing to the team’s direction.
The wicketkeeper-batter, who is 29 years old, thanked the group for their commitment over the past four years and said leading the side had been one of the biggest honours of his career.
Edwards’ Captaincy Record With Netherlands
During his tenure, Netherlands won 24 of the 56 ODIs played under Edwards and lost 29, a record that included some of the most memorable results in the team’s recent history. Victories over South Africa in Dharamsala and Bangladesh in Kolkata during the 2023 ODI World Cup stood out as high points of his leadership.
Edwards also captained the side in 50 of the 86 T20 Internationals he featured in, guiding the team to notable wins during the 2022 T20 World Cup, including a result over Zimbabwe followed by a win against South Africa that eliminated the Proteas from that edition of the tournament.
Edwards had taken over the captaincy from Pieter Seelaar during England’s tour of the Netherlands in June 2022 and has held the position for four years, a period that included several landmark moments for Dutch cricket on the global stage.
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Bas de Leede Takes Charge of the Squad
De Leede, regarded as one of the strongest all-round talents in the Netherlands setup, responded to the announcement by crediting Edwards for the confidence he instilled in the squad.
Speaking on behalf of the players, the 26-year-old fast-bowling allrounder said Edwards had a way of communicating plans clearly before every match and had helped individual players believe in their own abilities, even during periods of self-doubt. He added that Edwards’ approach extended beyond team results and helped shape players individually, calling him a selfless leader who prioritised putting others in a position to succeed.
De Leede said he was looking forward to captaining Edwards going forward and expressed excitement about what lies ahead for his former captain as a player.
What Comes Next for Netherlands Cricket
Netherlands currently sit second in the CWC League 2 standings, trailing only the United States, with the top four teams at the end of the competition set to advance to the World Cup qualifiers.
The team’s final block of matches for the year will be played against Oman and the United Arab Emirates. The Dutch side will be looking to build on their current standing and secure a place in the qualification spots as the tournament reaches its final stages later this year.
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