Cricket World Cup | Logan van Beek — the Dutchman who turned up for New Zealand

Logan van Beek, Netherlands all-rounder, is proud to represent his family and his country in the cricket World Cup. He is excited to wear the orange and is determined to make the most of every day.

 Midway through our conversation on an overcast, slightly windy afternoon, Logan van Beek quotes Maya Angelou: This is a wonderful day. I have never seen this one before.

That, the Netherlands all-rounder says, is going to be his motto for the cricket World Cup.

“Whether we get badly beaten, I get badly hit bowling-wise, or I get out for a duck, the next day is a wonderful day,” van Beek tells The Hindu, shortly after the training session at the St. Xavier’s College Ground.

He also speaks about his conversation the other night he had with the 10-year-old Logan, who grew up in Christchurch dreaming of playing the cricket World Cup for New Zealand. Little Logan didn’t imagine that he would instead be playing the World Cup for the Netherlands.

Neither could he have imagined that he would play a significant role in booking the Netherlands’ ticket for the World Cup with a stunning performance in the Super Over, both with bat and ball, the qualifying tournament at Harare. After slamming Jason Holder’s every ball for a boundary – three fours, three sixes in the score of 30 – he took two for eight.

“The cricketing gods were on my side,” says van Beek. “They gave me the privilege of having a moment like that. But I believe it’s just the start of what I’m capable of.”

The following day, he sent a message to Holder, saying that he felt for him. “Jason is actually one of my good friends that we’ve played together for a long time,” says van Beek.