Follow UsThe Netherlands have made it a habit of qualifying for the global tournaments - be it the T20 World Cup or the ODI World Cup. They have played every World Cup since 2021, and that will continue as they have made it to yet another mega event - the 2026 T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.
Now, you almost expect the Dutch to play in every major event to the extent that it seems they have underachieved if they do not make it.
Michael Levitt, who played in the T20 World Cup 2024, credits the coaching staff for their commendable effort.
"Lots of credit needs to go to the coaching staff who work tirelessly from organising camps and training to late nights working on analysis and notes for us to perform to the best of our ability," Levitt said in a chat with Cricket.com.
"But also it's been great to be part of a playing group which has a total buy-in, and plays for each other with one common goal in mind. Which has definitely been a big driving factor to produce some of the amazing performances in the past and to come."
Moreover, the Netherlands did not just make up the numbers in those tournaments. They have beaten South Africa on multiple occasions, and have gotten the better of Zimbabwe and Bangladesh too.
However, in the 2024 edition played in the US and the West Indies, the Netherlands had a blip, where they could win just one of their four matches. Levitt scored just 50 runs in those matches, but was grateful for having the experience of playing at the biggest stage.
"I was very grateful to be a part of the 2024 T20 WC squad, and it was an experience I thoroughly enjoyed and loved. With it being my first time at such a tournament, it was an experience that I wanted to take every single moment in and learn from," the 22-year-old said.
Since Levitt started opening with Max O'Dowd last year, they have formed one of the most successful partnerships for the Netherlands in T20Is. They have put on 50-plus stands on seven occasions - the most for any pair in the Netherlands' history, with 744 runs in 23 innings, only behind the 855 runs put on by Ben Cooper and O'Dowd.
For Levitt, opening with O'Dowd has indeed been an enriching experience. There's little doubt that the pair will become the most successful in Netherlands history in the shortest format.
"It’s been a privilege to open with Max. He’s calm, experienced, and knows how to pace an innings. Our chats are usually about reading conditions, which bowlers to target, and keeping each other settled. He’s helped me a lot in understanding how to build an innings and not get carried away too early," Levitt said.
It wasn't any bit easy for the Dutch side in the European Qualifiers as they had to contend with Scotland, who, too, have been brilliant in World Cups, along with the ever-improving Jersey and Italy, and Guernsey.
Following their six-wicket loss to Scotland, the Netherlands were in a tricky position and had to win both their remaining matches to make it through. They did just that, without breaking a sweat.
One of Levitt's best matches of the tournament came against Guernsey, against whom he scored 25, and his medium pace fetched him 3/11.
Levitt, who strikes at over 142 in T20Is, says he has been consciously working on his bowling as well. "I try to keep it ticking over. Myself and my bowling coach have a really good and honest relationship when it comes to my bowling," he said.
"I know the value of contributing with the ball when needed. So keeping my workload up, bowling a few spells at training to work on my variations, especially slower balls and consistency, I feel, is a very valuable thing to have in our team space."
The Netherlands head back to familiar territory in India for the T20 World Cup next year, having played the 50-over World Cup there in 2023. Having heard plenty of amazing stories from his teammates' tour a couple of years ago, Levitt is also keen to experience what the country has to offer.
"Playing cricket in India has been a long-lasting dream of mine since watching the IPL from a young age. The guys who played in the 50-over World Cup in 2023 shared some amazing memories from playing in packed stadiums, experiencing different cultures and playing some high-quality cricket, which I am very excited about," he said.
Playing spin in the subcontinent is going to be key and the Netherlands have someone of the calibre of Scott Edwards, who has been one of the best players of spin over the years.
"Scott’s a class player, especially against spin. I’ve spent a fair bit of time chatting with him about shot selection, using the crease, and finding gaps. He’s very analytical and knows his game inside out. Watching him bat, particularly on slower pitches, is a proper lesson," Levitt, who has played 17 ODIs and 25 T20Is for the Netherlands since his debut in 2024, said.
Levitt, who is a massive fan of Jacques Kallis, started playing cricket at the South Africa College School (SACS) in Cape Town and later on got a chance to play in England, and then made the move to the Netherlands before a chance to play for the national team seemed to be a possibility.
He also played rugby growing up, but a few bad injuries forced him to quit the sport and put his entire focus on cricket. In just a year and a half since his debut, Levitt has slammed over 1,300 runs for his country, and at 22, he is going to play his second World Cup.
It's scary to think what he can go on to achieve in the years to come.