After becoming only the fourth player in ODI history to score a century and take a 5fer in the same match, all-rounder Bas de Leede spoke to Durham Cricket TV on that innings against Scotland, his pride at representing his nation and how big of an influence Ryan Campbell has had on his career.
After your heroics against Scotland, you became only the fourth player in ODI history to score a century and take a 5fer in the same game. Can you name the other three, and what does it mean to you to join such an elite group?
Viv Richards, (Paul) Collingwood and Rohan Mustafa. I’ve seen the list so many times now!
It’s obviously awesome, I haven’t really thought about it too much; it’s still trying to settle in that we’ve qualified for the World Cup that still needs to come! Obviously it’s amazing to perform and to do it like that, to set a record that only three other players have done is quite cool.
You were under time pressure to qualify, you had to chase the target down within 44 overs so how happy are you to get your side over the line with the pressure as high as it’s ever been?
I tried not to think about it too much when I was batting! It was a massive game for us, but the thing is we did it so well during the whole tournament to come out on top in pressure situations, so having that confidence helped a lot. Also having guys at the other end who you know you can trust and can contribute in any way they can definitely helped a lot getting me through that period.
Was there anything specific (Netherlands captain) Scott Edwards said at the halfway point to motivate the team or was it more relaxed?
We were pretty calm to be honest. I remember the coach coming in with a whiteboard saying ‘this is where we want to be after 26 overs’, and we got to that stage when I was batting which was nice. Obviously finishing off sounds easy! But we were pretty chilled and that helped us get through the second innings.
How much pride do you take in playing for Holland, seeing as it was a huge step last year for England to tour and you’ve just helped them qualify for their first World Cup since 2011, the first Associate nation to qualify since it was shrunk to 10 teams?
A lot. For me as a born Dutchman having learned all my cricket there to achieve something as big as this. Especially with it being in the English summer, Durham letting me go and play, I was pretty nervous. I felt there was a bit more pressure on me to perform. It’s amazing to be able to represent your country and I’m sure the guys who play for England would say the same thing.
Having played under Cambo (Ryan Campbell) at Holland first and now here, how much of an influence has he had on your career and is there one specific piece of advice that has stuck with you?
He’s been massive for my career. When I was 17 he first got me into the Dutch squad and from there he always showed a lot of confidence in my ability, which made me start to believe a bit more in myself. He’s given me lots of advice, but one that sticks out to me is he was the first coach to tell me to play with freedom, he wanted to work out with me what I thought I could do best.
It’s the confidence he’s given me that’s been the biggest factor for me.
Finally, what is your message for the Dutch fans ahead of the World Cup in India later this year?
Wear as much orange as you can if you come and watch! We got so many messages from back home when we qualified, keep it going! Keep enjoying watching us play, it’s a big chance for us. We’ll probably lose a few games, but as long as they stay positive, we’ll stay positive as well, just keep enjoying it as much as we are at the moment.