Having as soon as performed in the identical South Africa staff as Dale Steyn, AB de Villiers and Jacques Kallis, Roelof van der Merwe has lastly made it to a World Cup – with the Netherlands. The 38-year-old is a member of a choose group of simply 16 males to have turned out for 2 international locations. Van der Merwe appeared in 13 ODIs for South Africa between 2009 and 2010 earlier than switching allegiance to the Dutch in 2019.

He is not fairly the oldest participant on the match. That honour goes to teammate Wesley Barresi, who has already celebrated his thirty ninth birthday. “I love competing, so I think that helps me stay fit, stay hungry for the game,” mentioned Van der Merwe on Sunday.

“I just love playing the game and competing against other teams and other players.”

His 4 matches for the Dutch have but to yield fireworks, with simply two wickets, though he hit his first, and thus far, solely worldwide half-century for his adopted nation in opposition to Zimbabwe in 2019.

He has thrived in shorter-form Twenty20, making 48 on his South Africa debut in opposition to Australia in 2009.

Three years in the past, underneath the Dutch flag, he smashed 75 not out in opposition to Zimbabwe and pocketed 4 wickets.

Those abilities have been in demand and has taken him to county and T20 cricket in England, the IPL with Royal Challengers Bangalore and Delhi Daredevils in addition to the Caribbean Premier League.

“Whatever team I play for, I want to win. So, it doesn’t change whether I’m playing in a World Cup or in a local competition,” mentioned Van der Merwe.

“I want to win games of cricket and I’ll apply myself the best I can, whether it’s on the field, giving advice, off the field training, I’m always well prepared and I just want to win games and nothing changes playing for the Dutch.”

On his World Cup debut in opposition to Pakistan on Friday, he returned figures of 0-36 earlier than being run out for 4 because the Dutch fought laborious earlier than slipping to an 81-run defeat.

On Monday, they tackle New Zealand. The runners-up within the final two World Cups began the 2023 match with a formidable nine-wicket demolition of defending champions England.

Van der Merwe mentioned his staff is not going to be over-awed by going through Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra who each hit undefeated centuries within the win over England.

“Those two guys played a great partnership in the previous game but you know we’ve got our plans to get them out,” he mentioned.

“New Zealand are a very organised, skilful team so we know we’re up against a quality side.”

New Zealand have overwhelmed the Netherlands in all of their 4 conferences, together with one within the 1996 World Cup in India.

Three of these wins have been by thumping margins of greater than 100 runs.

“If we play the way we play and execute how we want to then we can put them under pressure and win the game,” added Van der Merwe, who backed batsmen Bas de Leede and opener Vikramjit Singh to be amongst the runs once more on Monday.

De Leede scored 62 with Singh making 52 in opposition to Pakistan. De Leede additionally claimed 4 wickets.

“Bas and Vicky played very well,” mentioned van der Merwe.

The Dutch had been well-placed in that sport, standing at 120-2 in pursuit of a 287-run goal.

“We have reviewed the Pakistan game and we understand where we need to improve.

“Obviously, the learnings from which can be we have got to do it for longer and that is been mentioned and for those who examine it to T20 cricket, it is 30 overs longer.

“So, it speaks for itself and we need to do it for longer and put them under pressure for longer.”