Former Somerset batsman Tom Cooper has been added to Netherlands’ squad for next month’s ICC World Twenty20.
The Australian, whose mother is Dutch, was unavailable for selection when Netherlands were forced to submit their 15-man party to the International Cricket Council.
But Cooper, who played at Taunton last season, is now able to take his place in the squad at the expense of Sikander Zulfiqar.
Cooper, whose brother Tom is also included, has won 38 caps and featured in the 2011 World Cup and 2014 World T20, helping Netherlands beat England in his last appearance in orange.
Chairman of selectors Jeroen Smits: “Tom Cooper was part of the hugely successful 2014 World T20 team that progressed to the Super 10 phase as only associate member nation, so the current team will certainly benefit from Cooper’s inclusion and experience”.
Coach Anton Roux added: “Tom’s availability certainly adds some more spice to our team. His Dutch cricket family will welcome him back with open arms, and are looking forward to having massive fun playing together with the men in orange”.
Netherlands squad: Peter Borren, Wesley Barresi, Logan van Beek, Mudassar Bukhari, Ben Cooper, Tom Cooper, Timm van der Gugten, Vivian Kingma, Ahsan Malik, Paul van Meekeren, Roelof van der Merwe, Stephan Myburgh, Max O’Dowd, Michael Rippon, Pieter Seelaar.
Source: ECB