Scott Edwards steps down as Netherlands captain; Bas de Leede named successor

Netherlands captain Scott Edwards has stepped down after leading the side in 56 ODIs since assuming the role in June 2022, with Bas de Leede set to succeed him for the remainder of the ICC Cricket World Cup League 2, according to Cricinfo.

Edwards assumed leadership after the opening ODI of England’s tour of the Netherlands in June 2022, succeeding Pieter Seelaar. Under his captaincy, the Netherlands recorded 24 wins and suffered 29 defeats in 56 ODIs.

Among the team’s notable victories during Edwards’ tenure were wins over South Africa in DharamsalaBangladesh in Kolkata at the 2023 ODI World Cup, according to Cricinfo.

“Apologies for sort of springing this one on you guys. I’m actually stepping down from the captaincy from here,” Edwards told his team-mates in a video released by KNCB (the Royal Dutch Cricket Association), as quoted by Cricinfo.

“I think, yeah, it’s sort of something Cookie [Ryan Cook, the head coach till June 25] and I have been speaking about and I’ve sort of been, yeah, speaking to a few different people about it, and this is sort of the time that feels right for me, I think,” he added.The 29-year-old wicketkeeper-batter also captained the Netherlands in 50 of the 86 T20Is he has played. His notable successes in the format included victories over Zimbabwe and South Africa at the 2022 T20 World Cup, with the latter result contributing to South Africa’s elimination from the tournament.

Edwards has now handed over the captaincy to 26-year-old fast-bowling all-rounder Bas de Leede, widely regarded as one of the Netherlands’ key players. De Leede thanked Edwards for his leadership and for showing faith in the team and its players.