One of cricket's storied rivalries is back as the Netherlands face-off against England in Match 40 of the ICC World Cup 2023 at the MCA Stadium in Pune on Wednesday. The Dutch and the Englishmen collide for a must-win encounter at the fag end of the tournament with a place in the Champions Trophy 2025 up for grabs.
Their dreams of bagging the ultimate crown may have vanished after a spree of defeats for either side but England and Netherlands still have pride to take the field for as well as a chance to compete at the next ICC 50-over event at stake.
With only the top 7 best-placed teams at this World Cup plus hosts Pakistan set to compete at the eight-team event in two years' time, both sides could ill-afford another hiccup as they could well finish bottom of the pile and miss out on qualification, which for England would be the most embarrassing outcome ever.
Netherlands' best triumphs against England may have arrived in the shortest format at the men's T20 World Cups but the spirited associate side haven't clinched a win in the One-Day International history versus the defending world champions. England have won all previous six encounters in the 50-over format between the countries.
Only thrice before in the World Cups have England take on Netherlands, clinching win apiece in 1996, 2003 and 2011 editions of the marquee tournament. Netherlands will have to pack their strongest punch even against an English side suffering the lowest of lows if they are to revert the history and write a new script in the rivalry.