In a landmark moment for Dutch women’s cricket, skipper Babette de Leede has been named captain of the Netherlands’ 15-member squad for the 10th edition of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, hosted across England and Wales from June 12 to July 5.
Becoming the fourth team to announce their squad, following hosts England (led by Nat Sciver-Brunt on April 28), New Zealand (Amelia Kerr on April 29), and India (Harmanpreet Kaur on May 2), the Netherlands step into the spotlight with a first-ever T20 World Cup appearance, earned through gritty qualification and now poised to challenge in an expanded 12-team tournament.
The Netherlands punched their ticket to this global stage with a thrilling 21-run victory via the DLS method against the USA on January 28, 2026, during the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Global Qualifier from January 18 to February 1. Finishing fourth in the Super Six stage with six points from five games, including three wins and two losses, they showcased resilience that de Leede will now channel into their Group 1 campaign alongside powerhouses India, Australia, South Africa, Bangladesh, and Pakistan.
The full squad blends experience and emerging talent that could take them to new heights in their debut T20 World Cup campaign.
Netherlands Women’s Cricket Squad for T20 World Cup 2026:
Babette de Leede ©, Caroline de Lange, Frederique Overdijk, Hannah Landheer, Heather Siegers, Iris Zwilling, Isabel Van Der Woning, Lara Leemhuis, Myrthe Van Den Raad, Phebe Molkenboer, Robine Rijke, Rosalie Lawrence, Sanya Khurana, Silver Siegers, and Sterre Kalis.
Babette de Leede, with her reliable glove work behind the stumps and impressive leadership credentials, leads a unit rich in versatile bowlers like the Siegers sisters and dynamic batters such as Sterre Kalis, setting the stage for upsets in English conditions.
Their World Cup journey ignites in the tournament’s fifth match against Bangladesh, captained by Nigar Sultana Joty, on June 14 at Edgbaston, Birmingham, starting at 3 PM IST, a blockbuster opener that promises seam movement and spin intrigue under overcast skies. Before that, the Dutch will sharpen their edges in a T20I tri-series against Scotland and Bangladesh from May 28 to June 4 in Scotland, offering crucial match practice ahead of the grand debut.
For the Netherlands, this isn’t just participation, it’s a statement. In a format expanded from 10 to 12 teams, underdogs like them could redefine narratives, much like minnows have done before. Cricket fans, mark your calendars: the Orange Brigade is ready to bloom on the biggest stage.
I am Yash Tailor, and I believe work should be driven by passion. Therefore, after completing my Engineering, I chose to work in the Cricket industry, my passion. My goal is to reach a stage where I truly enjoy what I do and give my best to every task with energy and purpose.