Understand the consistency that comes with playing good 50-over cricket: Cook

The Netherlands may have beaten South Africa in the T20 World Cup last year, but given that the game on Tuesday (October 17) is going to be a One-Day International (ODI), it will certainly be a different ball game altogether.

Head coach Ryan Cook says his side understands what is required to get the job done. 

"I think the 50-over format is something that we try and pride ourselves on. It's a game that we play a lot of, we don't get to play any Test cricket or anything like that. So, we play a lot of 50-over cricket, and we understand the consistency that needs to come with playing good 50-over cricket for long periods of time," Cook said ahead of the World Cup game against the Proteas in Dharamsala.

"South Africa have a really good one-day side as well and a T20 team, and we just know that if we can go and play good cricket there tomorrow for a long period, we will be able to be competitive."

The Dutch did well to restrict Pakistan to 286 in their first game after having reduced them to 38 for 3 in the initial stages. Cook believes a couple of good partnerships could have seen them through.  "We were in a good position there, 38 for 3 after nine overs put us in a really good position," Cook said.

"They've got good quality players there who were able to put a partnership together. Certainly, it wasn't for the lack of planning or trying, and they obviously got a competitive score on the board there.

"Having said that, I think 280 on that wicket, as we saw in the next couple of games, was achievable, and had we put a couple of partnerships together there, I think we could have been a lot closer to the score at the end.

Roelof van der Merwe may have missed out on a chance to play for South Africa at the World Cup, but he has been given a chance with the Netherlands. Cook highlights the importance of the veteran cricketer.

"I think Roelof’s energy out there speaks for itself you know he's got a great passion for the game he obviously gives his full 100 percent and wears his heart on his sleeve for the team that he's playing for. So, I have no doubt that he'll be out there tomorrow and, you know, putting his best foot forward and giving 100% to the team," the head coach said.

The Netherlands have lost their first two games in the World Cup now. They were without their all-rounder Logan van Beek in the last game agianst New Zealand due to an injury, and there is no update yet from the Dutch camp over his availability.