Netherlands Name Squad for ICC Women's Emerging Nations Trophy 2026, Babette de Leede to Lead

The Netherlands have named their squad for the ICC Women's Emerging Nations Trophy 2026, which begins on 12 November in the United Arab Emirates. Babette de Leede will captain the side. The announcement, issued by the International Cricket Council, describes the group as a "full-strength squad" and makes clear that the Dutch will travel with the core of the same group that featured at the Women's T20 World Cup held in England and Wales recently.

The central theme of the announcement is continuity rather than overhaul. Most of the group that has trained and played together over recent months has been retained. Only two names differ from the T20 World Cup party — Carlijn van Koolwijk and Hannah Landheer. The available information does not make clear whether the pair are new additions to that group or players left out of it; that needs confirmation against the official squad list.

Confidence from a 1-1 draw against Scotland

The announcement also cites recent form. Earlier this year, the Netherlands women drew an ODI series 1-1 against Scotland. That result is not a small one for Dutch cricket. Matching a side like Scotland, which has been consistently strong among the associate nations, shows that the Netherlands are no longer merely making up the numbers.

Yet the series is used as evidence of form without dates, venues, a series name or confirmation of format. For now the reference builds atmosphere rather than a technical case. What it does tell the management is that momentum exists, and in a long tournament early confidence shapes the road ahead.

T20 World Cup experience is now the base

Netherlands women recently experienced their first global tournament at the T20 World Cup in England and Wales. For any associate nation that is a landmark, because players gain exposure to top-level pace, spin and pressure, and the team develops a shared understanding of what is required at the highest level.

That experience is now the Netherlands' biggest asset. Players who competed on a world stage only months ago will be mentally ahead of less seasoned sides. It explains why the selectors preferred a trusted group over experimentation. The approach lowers risk, but it also raises the question of when emerging players will get international exposure.

Continuity emphasised, with two exceptions

The fourth and most practical part of the announcement is selection continuity. The squad is broadly the one that went to the World Cup, and the management presents this as a strength. The logic is straightforward: shared match time, bowling and batting combinations, and fielding understanding are worth more than a new line-up, especially in a short tournament where decisions come quickly.

One nuance matters here. "Full-strength" is an evaluation, not an established fact. The announcement nowhere states who is injured, who is unavailable, or why anyone was left out. What it demonstrates is continuity — the retention of a previous group. Full strength and continuity are not the same thing and should not be substituted for one another.

The burden falls on captain De Leede

Babette de Leede leads the side and is the only player named in a leadership context. Captaincy is more than signing the team sheet at the toss. In an emerging-nations event a captain carries three roles at once: making aggressive calls on the field, giving bowlers plans within their capabilities, and keeping younger players calm under pressure.

For De Leede this tournament will feel different because, for the first time, her team will be viewed as the experienced side. At the World Cup the Netherlands were underdogs with little external expectation. In the Emerging Nations Trophy the dynamic reverses — opponents will target the Dutch. That is where captaincy is really tested.

The Emerging Nations Trophy: context and a bigger question

The tournament is being staged in the UAE and starts on 12 November. It forms part of the ICC's effort to give associate and emerging nations regular competition against each other, so that their development is not confined to qualifying windows.

But a significant question goes unanswered. How does a team that has just played a T20 World Cup fall within the "emerging nations" bracket? On what basis is eligibility decided — ranking, development status or invitation? No explanation is offered. From outside it looks contradictory: global-tournament experience on one side, "emerging" status on the other.

Clarity needed on format

There is a further technical gap. The announcement does not state the format — T20 or 50-over — even though it cites a 50-over series against Scotland as form evidence. If the event is a T20 competition, using 50-over form as a direct measure is logically weak; the two formats demand different skills and change player roles.

The information matters because it tells readers how the squad is balanced — how many specialist bowlers, how many all-rounders, who keeps wicket. The total squad size and the full list of names are also not yet available in detail, and that roster is the primary payload of any squad announcement.

The wider growth of Dutch women's cricket

In a broader frame, the Netherlands women's team has steadily moved forward among associate nations in recent years. Despite limited resources, a small domestic structure and few international fixtures, Dutch players have clearly improved. Qualifying for a World Cup and drawing a series against Scotland are signs of that direction.

Against that backdrop the Emerging Nations Trophy is not just another event for the Netherlands; it is a chance to convert progress into results. Wins bring ranking points, experience and inspiration for the next generation at home. Defeats will not stop the process, but they will raise questions about how well the continuity policy has worked.

What to watch

First, captain De Leede's own form and where she bats. Second, how van Koolwijk and Landheer are used — which also depends on whether they are new inclusions or returning members of the old group. Third, whether the bowling attack can turn big-match experience into wickets.

One thing is settled: the Netherlands have chosen stability over experiment. That approach often works in a short tournament, because players know each other's weaknesses and planning takes less time. But stability has a cost — new talent waits longer for opportunity, and if the established group is tired or out of touch, replacements are not immediately available.

In summary

The Netherlands' announcement sends a clear message: the team will rely on experience, continuity and recent form, Babette de Leede will captain, and the tournament begins on 12 November in the UAE. What remains unclear is equally important — the full squad list, the format, groups and fixtures, and the direction of the van Koolwijk and Landheer changes. Without those details a firm assessment of the team's prospects is not possible, and the official squad list should be checked before drawing conclusions.