Netherlands' Unique Code Messaging Ploy In NZ vs NED 'Shocks' Everyone; Pics Go Viral

Netherlands with code messages [Twitter]

Netherlands entered a mysterious halt to their proceedings for the ICC World Cup 2023 clash against New Zealand in Hyderabad on Monday (October 9). The Dutchmen took an interesting pause in their bowling effort for the match versus the Black Caps and were observed reading a paper sent from the dressing room. 

Taking a leaf out of former England head coach Chris Silverwood's book, the Netherlands support staff was spotted sending tactical code messages to captain Scott Edwards and his team during the New Zealand batting effort. 

The code-messaging ploy was a frequent part of Silverwood's tenure as England's head coach before his ouster from the set-up following the disastrous 4-0 hammering in the Ashes 2021-22 played in Australia. It seems Silverwood has a fan present inside the Netherlands dressing room in the form of their head coach Ryan Cook. 

Cook seems to have brought the team's analyst on the same page and the duo decided to send tactical messages to the players during their team's face-off against the much-vaunted Kiwis, who started the fixture as overwhelming favourites. 

Netherlands Players read tactical messages during BlackCaps clash

As New Zealand's rising young all-rounder Rachin Ravindra and in-form middle-order batter Daryl Mitchell entered a solid partnership for the third wicket in the first-innings, Netherlands players were seen reading a paper sent across by one of the substitutes on the sidelines. 

The paper presumably contained tactical messages sent by the team analyst under the directions of head coach Cook, as the duo spotted the chink in their team's on-field plans for the Rachin-Latham stand and decided to provide them with some valid insights for a potential breakthrough. 

The group reading the tactical code message included skipper Edwards and key players such as allrounder Bas de Leede and promising quick Paul van Meekeren, who were glued to the paper and discussed their next move before readjusting the field and hitting the bowling mark. 

Prior to the tournament, Cook had spoken about his philosophy and Netherlands' openminded and free culture as a group of players. 

"I think this team is unique in the way that the culture is set up," Cook was quoted as saying by AP. "Everyone has a voice, everyone is equal in terms of their contributions to the team and ... they're celebrated for their differences."

At the time of writing, the Kiwis have reached 238-3 after 40 overs, with Daryl Mitchell (48*) and Tom Latham (27*) at the crease.

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