Netherlands determined to qualify for T20 World Cup 2022: Max O'Dowd

The Netherlands head to Zimbabwe to play Qualifiers for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2022, to be played in Australia starting in October.

Two teams from the Bulawayo-bound event will qualify for the main draw of the T20 World Cup.

Netherlands opening batter Max O'Dowd said the team is determined to qualify for the main draw to be held Down Under and repay coach Ryan Campbell's faith and belief in the side.

Former Australia international Campbell suffered a stroke in April and was in a week-long coma. He will not accompany the Dutch side to the African nation as he continues to recover from his illness.

According to ANI, O'Dowd said, "It was a very difficult time, made even tougher because just a couple of weeks before we had been with him in New Zealand playing in the ODI series. Then we were back in the Netherlands, and he's not there; he's in a coma,"

"That was a very scary thought for everyone, and from what we were hearing about the damage that could have been done, it was very frightening. We were all so pleased that Ryan did come out of the coma because we were hearing it was touch and go. It was tough for the playing group, but taking it all in, we realised how important he is for Dutch cricket. I'm just glad that he's back amongst the fold."

Campbell has been associated with the Dutch national side since 2017, taking over the role from Anton Roux.

In Campbell's absence, South African Ryan Cook is carrying out his duties as an interim coach.

The Netherlands will take on Papua New Guinea on July 11 before clashing with Campbell's second international side, Hong Kong, on July 12.

The Scott Edwards-led side will face off against Uganda in their last Group B match on July 14.

The Auckland-born O'Dowd will look to continue his fine form in the tournament, having scored four fifties in his last five ODIs.

O'Dowd, the only Dutchman to register a T20I hundred, concluded that Campbell is slowly finding his way back into the game and that the team continues to consult him from time to time.

"I think Cambo has been sitting on the sidelines itching to get back involved. It's obviously great to have him just back in the fold, and he's someone that we talk to regularly.

"He's been slowly working his way back into practices and team meetings and so on. He's got a lot of knowledge about that Hong Kong team and someone we turn to quite often about certain bowlers, certain batters," he concluded.

Campbell played 3-ODIs for Australia and made his T20I debut for Hong Kong, aged 44, at the ICC T20 World Cup 2016 in India.