The Netherlands have firmly established themselves as regular participants in major global cricket tournaments. Since 2021, they’ve made appearances in every ICC event—be it the ODI World Cup or the T20 World Cup—and the trend continues with their recent qualification for the 2026 T20 World Cup, to be held in India and Sri Lanka.
At this point, it’s almost expected that the Dutch side will feature in every big tournament, to the extent that not qualifying would now be seen as an underachievement.
Michael Levitt Credits Team Culture and Coaches for Netherlands’ Rise
One of the bright young stars of Dutch cricket, Michael Levitt, who featured in the 2024 T20 World Cup, praised the Netherlands’ coaching setup for its behind-the-scenes effort.
“Lots of credit needs to go to the coaching staff who work tirelessly—from organising camps and training to late nights working on analysis and notes to help us perform,” Levitt said in a conversation with Cricket.com.
He also highlighted the importance of team unity: “It’s been great to be part of a playing group with a total buy-in. We play for each other, and that one common goal has driven us to some amazing performances.”
The Netherlands haven’t just participated—they’ve made serious statements on the field. Notably, they’ve defeated teams like South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Bangladesh, showing they can stand toe-to-toe with top sides. However, in the 2024 T20 World Cup, held in the USA and the West Indies, they had a slight dip in form, winning just one of their four matches.
Despite the setback, Levitt, who managed just 50 runs in that tournament, was grateful for the experience: “It was my first time playing in such a major event. I took in every moment and learnt so much.”
A Record-Breaking Opening Pair and A Promising Future
Since becoming a regular opener alongside Max O’Dowd, Michael Levitt has been part of one of the most successful opening partnerships in Netherlands’ T20I history. The duo have tallied 744 runs in 23 innings, including seven 50+ partnerships—the most by any pair for the Dutch. They now trail only Ben Cooper and O’Dowd’s 855-run partnership.
“It’s been a privilege to open with Max. He’s calm, experienced, and really helps in understanding how to build an innings,” Levitt explained. “We usually talk about conditions, which bowlers to target, and keeping each other grounded during the game.”
Levitt’s all-round skills also came to the fore in the 2026 T20 World Cup European Qualifier, particularly in the crunch match against Guernsey where he scored 25 runs and picked up 3 wickets for just 11 runs with his medium pace.
He’s been consciously working on his bowling, saying, “My bowling coach and I have a good, honest relationship. I keep working on slower balls and consistency—it’s something I want to contribute with whenever the team needs.”
The Dutch had to fight hard in the qualifiers, especially after a six-wicket loss to Scotland. With pressure mounting, they needed to win both remaining matches—and they did so in clinical fashion.
Looking ahead to the 2026 T20 World Cup in India, Levitt is excited about the opportunity to play in a country he’s admired since watching the IPL as a child.
“Playing in India has been a dream for me. The stories from our players who played the 2023 ODI World Cup there were amazing—packed stadiums, passionate fans, and high-quality cricket. I can’t wait to be part of that.”
With India and Sri Lanka known for spin-friendly conditions, Levitt is aware of the challenge. Fortunately, the Netherlands have Scott Edwards, one of the best players of spin, to lean on for advice.
“Scott’s class, especially on slow tracks. I’ve had some great chats with him about shot selection and crease movement. Watching him bat is a proper masterclass,” Levitt shared.
Born in South Africa and educated at the prestigious South African College School (SACS) in Cape Town, Levitt grew up idolizing Jacques Kallis and even played rugby before injuries led him to focus solely on cricket. His journey also took him to England before he made his way to the Netherlands, eventually earning a national cap.
Since his debut in early 2024, Levitt has already played 17 ODIs and 25 T20Is, scoring over 1,300 international runs. At just 22 years old, he’s preparing for his second World Cup appearance and looks to be a key part of Dutch cricket’s exciting future.
