Sunday May 6th saw the start of the Dutch 2001 cricket season. The season, running till the end of August, will be for the highest Dutch klas "hoofdklasse" interrupted for the ICC Trophy in Canada.

Not interrupted by the ICC Trophy the teams direct under "hoofdklasse" will be engaged in a struggle for survival. Due to a restructuring of the league system half the teams of the "eerste" klasse will be relegated.

VRA (champions in in 1998, 1990) VOC and Excelsior'20 (champions 20000) are the hot candidates for the championship.

VRA coach Craig Cumming had a good (one day) season in New Zealand. Former South African Test player Meyrick Pringle is the coach at VOC while Excelsior'20 has Michael Dighton, captain of the second eleven of Western Australia as their coach. All three teams won the opening matches without to many problems.

The Dutch team had a good preparation for the ICC Trophy so far. the team played 4 matches in South Africa an March. They won two out of the four matches while one match was washed out.

Before going to Canada the Dutch team will prepare in Barbados, coach Emerson Trotman's home country. From their they fly to Canada to face the first match of the tournament against the UAE. The Dutch party, to be announced next week, will leave Holland on June 20th.

Not only the national team has international contacts. The national youth teams are taking part in several European Championships in their age category. And for the women selection the European championship in England will be held in August.

It will be a long but very important season for the Dutch cricketers. Lets hope that the rain stays away this year !

© 2001 CricInfo Ltd