Netherlands team has finally got an opportunity to practice in sub-continent conditions before the all-important World Cup in India.
As reported by the Indian media, the Dutch team will arrive in India in September to play some practice matches. These matches will not by a part of World Cup warm-up matches.
"Yes, we will be arriving (in India) a few days earlier, and we will play some matches (in Bengaluru) before entering the official warm-up games," said a Dutch cricket association (KNCB) official.
"These matches are important for us because we have yet to play any competitive matches after getting qualified for the World Cup earlier last month," he added.
After the Netherlands qualified for the World Cup, their head coach Ryan Cook appealed to cricket boards, especially from the sub-continent, to invite them for a series ahead of the world event.
The Netherlands are expected to play their practice matches in Bengaluru. After the practice matches, they will travel either to Hyderabad or Thiruvananthapuram to play their warm-up games.
The Dutch team will start their World Cup campaign against Pakistan on October 6 at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. At the same venue, they will play against New Zealand in their second match on October 9.
This will be the Netherlands’ fifth appearance in the World Cup, but its first one since 2011.
Netherlands World Cup schedule
vs Pakistan - October 6 in Hyderabad
vs New Zealand - October 9 in Hyderabad
vs South Africa - October 17 in Dharamshala
vs Sri Lanka - October 21 in Lucknow
vs Australia - October 25 in Delhi
vs Bangladesh - October 28 in Kolkata
vs Afghanistan - November 3 in Lucknow
vs England - November 8 in Maharashtra
vs India - November 11 in Bengaluru