Dutch look abroad to boost side

While the debate over eligibility of players rumbles on, the Netherlands have gone abroad to boost their chances in the coming year and recruited two players with Dutch passports and first-class experience in Australia and New Zealand.

Tom Cooper, a 23-year-old batsman who played for Australia at Under-19 level, and 24-year-old Otago wicketkeeper-batsman Derek de Boorder will both play for the country this coming season. Neither will be deemed to be an overseas player by the ECB and so both can compete in the English 40-over competition. They will also be allowed to take part in ODIs and the ICC's World Cricket League but not the ICC's first-class Intercontinental Cup.

"There are still a few formalities to be finalised," Jeroen Smits, the high performance advisor to the Dutch board told Cricket Europe. "We are confident that both players will be available for our first matches.

"I'm delighted that the selectors, who make the final decisions, will have the possibility of including these players in our squad and, looking further forward, I see them as potentially playing a significant role in our plans for next year's World Cup."

Cooper has been a regular in the South Australia side in 2009-10 while de Boorder also commands a regular place at Otago.