Holland captain Jeroen Smits reckons his players' lack of recognition in this country is sufficient motivation when they face hosts England in the World Twenty20's opening match on Friday.
The Dutch, who have qualified for three World Cups in a row and are one of three associate countries in this 20-over tournament, are sore that their performances on the world stage have not been recognised by an invite to play in English domestic cricket.
"Everyone is always talking about Ireland and Scotland, especially over here in England," said wicketkeeper Smits ahead of the Lord's contest. "They play in the Friends Provident Trophy and I can't find any sporting reasons why we are not in that competition."
Until 2005 Holland participated in the C & G Trophy but a revamp of the England and Wales Cricket Board's one-day competitions resulted in their departure and increased involvement for Ireland and Scotland.
"Our record is far better than both those teams over the last decade. So it must be another reason," Smits added.
"We are not really happy about it - we don't know the exact reason for that - but it gives us a bit of extra motivation.
"The ECB has decided for themselves who is playing in their competitions but we will show the ECB we can play a bit of cricket."
Smits, 36, leads some familiar faces in former Middlesex left-armer Dirk Nannes and Essex all-rounder Ryan ten Doeschate. But the majority of their side are here as amateurs, on unpaid leave from work, to take on players who earned hundreds of thousands of pounds for a few weeks at the Indian Premier League.
"It is a big commitment but we love the game, we don't make a living out of it," said Smits. "Maybe if we do well in these kind of tournaments we will."
"It is a privilege to play in this tournament. It is the reason we are playing cricket, and we are having fun, that's for sure."
The Dutch, who have qualified for three World Cups in a row and are one of three associate countries in this 20-over tournament, are sore that their performances on the world stage have not been recognised by an invite to play in English domestic cricket.
"Everyone is always talking about Ireland and Scotland, especially over here in England," said wicketkeeper Smits ahead of the Lord's contest. "They play in the Friends Provident Trophy and I can't find any sporting reasons why we are not in that competition."
Until 2005 Holland participated in the C & G Trophy but a revamp of the England and Wales Cricket Board's one-day competitions resulted in their departure and increased involvement for Ireland and Scotland.
"Our record is far better than both those teams over the last decade. So it must be another reason," Smits added.
"We are not really happy about it - we don't know the exact reason for that - but it gives us a bit of extra motivation.
"The ECB has decided for themselves who is playing in their competitions but we will show the ECB we can play a bit of cricket."
Smits, 36, leads some familiar faces in former Middlesex left-armer Dirk Nannes and Essex all-rounder Ryan ten Doeschate. But the majority of their side are here as amateurs, on unpaid leave from work, to take on players who earned hundreds of thousands of pounds for a few weeks at the Indian Premier League.
"It is a big commitment but we love the game, we don't make a living out of it," said Smits. "Maybe if we do well in these kind of tournaments we will."
"It is a privilege to play in this tournament. It is the reason we are playing cricket, and we are having fun, that's for sure."
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