The Netherlands women’s cricket team touring Nepal has achieved what no team before them has — qualification for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup for the first time in the nation’s history. For an associate side built without professional contracts and sustained largely by personal sacrifice, the moment marks a defining breakthrough for women’s cricket in the country.
That historic qualification has been shaped not only by collective belief, but also by standout individual moments throughout years, none more remarkable than Frederique Overdijk’s 7 for 3 against France at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Europe Qualifier in 2021, the 2nd best bowling figures ever recorded in Women’s T20 International (WT20I) cricket.
In an exclusive conversation with Vishal Yadav for Female Cricket, Frederique reflected on that historic performance — not with awe, but with simplicity and joy. “What I remember most is that I just had a lot of fun, and I remember joking with Caroline (de Lange) who was on mid-off, just having a lot of fun and not feeling any pressure at all. So, I really played very freely and that’s when I play my best game.”
The scale of what she had achieved did not register immediately. In fact, she had no idea she had created a world record.
“No. Never. Never in my life I could have imagined that,” she said. “I didn’t even know in the moment that that would have been a world record. Like I didn’t know anything.” When reality eventually set in, she was left stunned, describing herself as “very speechless afterwards.”
Despite the global attention that followed articles, social media traction, and a surge in followers, Frederique remained grounded. “I actually ignored the spotlight a bit,” she admitted. “I just wanted to play my best cricket still. I really wanted to contribute to the team.” Even back then, the bigger picture was already forming. “We were already having the dream of going to the World Cup and I really wanted to contribute to that. So, that was all I was focused on really.”
That dream became reality this week, as the Netherlands qualified for the Women’s T20 World Cup for the first time ever. The moment itself was unconventional, confirmed during a rain interruption but the emotions were anything but muted. “It means the world to us,” Frederique said. “We’ve had so many tears going around yesterday, so many cheers. Like we were just screaming, couldn’t believe it. Many hugs, much love and also from the support at home. No, it’s been unreal.”
The team learned of their qualification while waiting near the boundary, watching captain Babette de Leede speak to the umpires. “We were standing on the side because obviously it was raining and then Babette got called to the umpires and Sterre (Kalis) was like, oh what are they going to say? And then we were just waiting in anticipation and then Babette turned around with a big smile, and we were like, yes, let’s go.” What followed was an emotional release that few had imagined not a sprint onto the field, but an explosion of joy in the dugout.
The celebrations quickly extended beyond the ground. Calls poured in from family and friends back home. One moment stood out above all. “Someone turned the phone to me and my mom was on the phone and I didn’t know. So, I was like, Mom! And I started crying and it was all just so good. And then I spoke to my brothers yesterday. I have two brothers and they’re very proud as well. So, it’s so nice.” Her brothers, both cricketers themselves, shared in the pride.
Behind the tears and triumph lies a tougher reality. Like many in the Netherlands setup, Frederique has balanced elite cricket with full-time commitments away from the field.
“I studied dentistry myself which is basically a nine to five studies. With that just needing to pay rent, you also have a job. I actually worked two jobs on the side and then cricket. Now it’s a bigger reward to see that it actually paid off.”
She credits understanding coaches for making that balance possible. “Neil’s been very understanding,” she explained. “If you can train, come train… and if that’s all you can do for the week that’s fine.”
Looking ahead, Frederique believes growth in Dutch women’s cricket depends on participation and visibility. “I think the number of players as well,” she said. “More and more participation. So, the Netherlands on itself, I can only speak for the Netherlands now, it’s a very small cricketing country and there’s not many women playing cricket. But despite that I do think we have a good quality of players. But I think that with many more cricketing players we could obviously like there’s more competition, you can thrive a bit more like you can grow the sport and then obviously you’ll become better.” She hopes World Cup qualification brings cricket into the spotlight and inspires more girls to start playing.
That same belief extends to franchise cricket. A keen follower of the Women’s Premier League (WPL), she enjoys watching stars like Lauren Bell and Laura Wolvaardt and hopes the competition widens its net.
“Please have a look at expanding that WPL competition and get those Associate Nations involved as well. There’s so many quality players in the Associate Nations that are being overlooked now,” she urged.
Despite holding a world record and being part of a historic team, Frederique isn’t chasing personal legacy. “I’m not too worried about leaving behind a legacy to be honest. I’m just here to focus on the team and to get us to the World Cup and to leave a legacy behind that we will be staying in that World Cup to be competing with all those teams and just become a better cricketing nation.” she said.
Her message to young girls in the Netherlands is heartfelt and hard-earned:
“Please start playing cricket and please continue playing cricket because when we get older, we start having different priorities but please don’t give up on a sport that could bring you so much, so much joy and so many friends.”
And for fans, the invitation is simple and sincere, “Please come and watch in England because it’s so close to home. Book that ticket and just come and watch us in real life.”
For Frederique Overdijk, this moment is not defined by a world record or a single spell, but by what it represents for a team and a country that has had to fight for every inch of progress. The Netherlands’ first-ever Women’s T20 World Cup qualification is the result of years spent juggling studies, jobs, and training sessions in the margins, driven purely by belief and love for the game. As they head to England, this group does so not as tourists or underdogs content with participation, but as a team shaped by setbacks, strengthened by sacrifice, and confident that they belong on the global stage.
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