ENG vs NED, ODI World Cup 2023: Netherlands assistant coach cautious of ‘wounded buffalo’ England forward of Pune conflict

England could have had a horrible time in its bid to defend the Men’s World Cup title. Still, the Netherlands assistant coach avoided stating Wednesday’s recreation because the Netherlands’ greatest probability to beat England. In reality, he referred to the world champion as “a wounded buffalo”.

“England are world champions, I think they would do what’s necessary. They have prepared just as much. In South Africa, where I am from, there is a famous saying of never underestimate a wounded buffalo. We sit in a position where England is one of the best teams in the world,” Niekerk stated on Tuesday. “And irrespective of how they are playing, they can produce incredible performances at any moment. So that’s what we are preparing for, the best England possible.”

England fielding coach Carl Hopkinson said that the Champions Trophy qualification state of affairs makes it a vital recreation for England, positioned on the backside of the desk. 

“I don’t think there is ever a dead rubber when you play for England to be honest,  the lads are completely up for – we have got two games in which we need to win both to qualify for the Champions Trophy, so that’s there for everybody to see and the guys are going to be obviously up for it,” Hopkinson stated.

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While Hopkinson – fielded throughout England’s first public interplay after being formally ousted from the event – confronted a barrage of questions by the English press, even being requested why he was chosen to discipline questions. 

On the opposite hand, van Niekerk was thrilled to return to Pune, the place he spent two years whereas establishing the Gary Kirsten Cricket Academy.

Not simply England, however even the Netherlands has a good probability to complete within the high eight and qualify for the Champions Trophy. Van Niekerk burdened the Netherlands’ progress within the final two years has led to it being in with an opportunity to qualify for the marquee occasion.

“When we started the tournament the Champions Trophy wasn’t even an option. The team has grown immensely over the last two years and coming into the environment, you almost feel like every game means a lot, irrespective of whether it’s playing for Champions Trophy or playing for getting into a semifinal,” he stated.