WI to tour Netherlands for first-ever ODI series in May-June
West Indies are set to travel to the Netherlands for a three-match ODI series in May-June 2022. The development was confirmed by Koninklijke Nederlandse Cricket Board (KNCB) and Cricket West Indies (CWI) on Friday via a joint press release. This is West Indies' first-ever ODI series against the Dutch side. The upcoming tour is WI's first international series on Dutch soil. Here's more.
Why does this story matter?
WI last visited the Netherlands in 1991 for two 55-over friendlies. This is WI and NED's first meeting in international cricket after the 2011 World Cup. The ODI series between the two nations is part of the ICC ODI Super League. Both teams will go into this series with the hope to secure maximum points and gain a direct qualification in the 2023 WC.
WI versus NED ODI series
The ODI series will be held at the VRA Cricket Ground in Amstelveen after the conclusion of the 15th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2022). Though the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is yet to announce the schedule of IPL, it has been reported that it will begin in late March and will run till the end of May.
Johnny Grave on West Indies' visit to the Netherlands
"We have been working closely with our colleagues at KNCB to put together this series immediately after the IPL and we are happy to now be able to announce the match schedule," CWI CEO Johnny Grave said. "It's going to be exciting to tour the Netherlands for the first time. It is a short tour, but we expect great entertainment," Grave added.
KNCB's high-performance manager Roland Lefebvre on upcoming ODI series
"The KNCB is very excited to welcome the WI back to the Netherlands," Lefebvre said. "The last time WI visited our country was in 1991 with the likes of [Viv] Richards, [Desmond] Haynes, [Curtley] Ambrose and [Malcolm] Marshall present," Lefebvre added. "This will be the second CWC Super League home series for us and we look forward to a great Caribbean-style contest," Lefebvre said.
NED versus WI ODI series schedule
The first contest between the two nations will be played on May 31. The second and third games will be held on June 2 and June 4 respectively. The ODI series between West Indies and the Netherlands was originally scheduled to take place in June 2020 but was deferred due to the worldwide outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
