January 30, 2013 at 5:54 p.m.
No mercy for Bermuda, say Holland bats
The Dutch have already qualified for the next round but there is no such thing as a 'dead rubber' in this tournament with the four teams that qualify from Group B for the Super 8s carrying the results against their fellow qualifiers through to the next round.
"We are already through to the next round and in some tournaments you might say let's rest a few players and give our reserve guys a chance but the format of this competition means it is a must win game for us.
"If we lose to Bermuda they could qualify and take those points through to the next phase. We already lost to UAE and we can't afford another defeat.
"We are here to win the tournament and at the very least finish in the top four so we need to take those points through.
"It's a pressure game for both sides. More so for Bermuda because they go out if they lose but it is a big game for us also."
Smits, who runs his own advertising company in Holland, admitted he was surprised at how badly Bermuda had done so far and anticipated a backlash in today's match.
"It is quite surprising that they are in this position. Maybe they underestimated one or two sides. We played Afghanistan on Monday and they seemed to be a strong side.
"Bermuda has a good side especially with David Hemp in the runs at the moment and Outerbridge is a quality player too. They also have one of the best, if not the best, spinners in the tournament in Leverock. We know they have class players. We are not there to underestimate them.
"I think they will come hard at us because they have to win but that means they will be under pressure as well. If we take early wickets or put runs on the board we can increase that pressure," added the veteran wicket-keeper batsman.
Smits said the Dutch side was mostly amateur with the bulk of the players losing out financially by playing for their country.
"We don't do it for money we do it because we love the game and we know what a nice experience it is to be in the World Cup."
One of the players who does get paid to play is Alexei Kerveze - the 19-year-old Worcestershire opener who along with Essex batsman Ryan ten Doeschate is the mainstay of the Netherlands batting order.
Kervezee, who is on his way back from injury and on the brink of the Worcestershire first team, already has a hundred to his name in this tournament against Denmark.
And he's looking for another today.
"I'm always looking for runs, not specifically against Bermuda - always.
"Generally we have a good record against them. They need to win but if we play our own game right and stick to the gameplan there is no reason why we shouldn't win."
Kervezee, who was born in Namibia but moved to Holland when he was 11, is less surprised than his skipper to see Bermuda struggling.
"Kenya is a strong team, Afghanistan has a good bowling attack, UAE are always dangerous. On reflection of how things look at the moment it's pretty fair."
Smits and Kervezee represent the past and the future of Dutch cricket.
Kervezee, 36, is looking forward to the day when The Netherlands are able to recruit players on central contracts.
He said he hoped future Dutch teams would be at least semi-professional. Both men agree, though, that it is the hard work and attitude of the squad that has taken them to where they are
While Kervezee is part of a pro set up at Worcestershire he believes the Holland squad - which prepared for this tournament with a weekend army survival camp - is the most motivated team he has played in.
"A lot of it is down to hard work and how badly the players want it. We have got a very motivated group of players."
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