January 24, 2024

ICC Men’s Associate Cricketer of the Year 2023: Recognizing Excellence – Cricket World Cup

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has unveiled Bas de Leede as the recipient of the esteemed ICC Men’s Associate Cricketer of the Year award for 2023. This accolade highlights the exceptional achievements of cricketers hailing from Associate Member nations. It celebrates their immense contributions to the advancement of the sport on a global scale.

Bas de Leede, the Dutch World Cup hero, has had an exceptional year on the pitch, making a significant impact in the cricket world. His outstanding performances during the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 Qualifiers and the subsequent tournament held in India played a pivotal role in securing this prestigious award. 

The talented all-rounder’s statistics speak for themselves: de Leede claimed an impressive 31 wickets at an average of 26.41 and amassed 424 runs in One Day Internationals (ODIs) throughout the year.

De Leede joins an elite group of Dutch cricket stars who have received this esteemed honor, with Ryan ten Doeschate being a two-time winner in 2008 and 2011. Bas de Leede’s triumph showcases his brilliance, a testament to his exceptional talent and dedication. It underscores the significant impact that players from Associate Member nations have on the international cricket landscape.

Bas de Leede, the Dutch cricket sensation, has been honored with the prestigious ICC Men’s Associate Cricketer of the Year award for outstanding performances throughout 2023. De Leede’s remarkable journey began at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 Qualifiers, where he displayed exceptional talent and tenacity, paving the way for his team’s success in the tournament held in India.

Joining an elite club of Dutch cricket legends, Bas de Leede shares this accolade with two-time winner Ryan ten Doeschate, further cementing the Netherlands’ prowess. De Leede’s accomplishments throughout 2023 are nothing short of extraordinary, leaving an indelible mark on the international cricket scene.

Among his most notable achievements, de Leede claimed his maiden five-wicket haul in ODI cricket, finishing with an impressive 5/52 against Scotland in the World Cup Qualifier. He continued his sensational form, scoring his first ODI century in a crucial do-or-die contest against the same opponent, securing the Netherlands’ qualification for the World Cup in India.

With his all-around skills on full display, Bas de Leede shattered records and captivated audiences worldwide. His meteoric rise to stardom and consistent performances throughout the year have genuinely earned him the esteemed ICC Men’s Associate Cricketer of the Year award, inspiring a new generation of cricket enthusiasts and aspiring players from Associate Member nations.

Bas de Leede (Netherlands)

31 ODI wickets at 26.41, economy 6.51

424 ODI runs at 28.26, one century, one fifty

A Reflection on the Past Year

2023 was a momentous period for Dutch cricket, particularly in One Day Internationals (ODIs). Despite initial challenges during the Super League campaign, the Netherlands team persevered. It ultimately secured a well-deserved spot in the esteemed Cricket World Cup. This accomplishment saw the Dutch side edging out formidable opponents such as Zimbabwe, West Indies, and Scotland.

Throughout this transformative year, the Dutch squad’s success is primarily attributed to the exceptional performance of key players like Bas de Leede. Known for his crucial contributions to the team’s victories, de Leede took his batting prowess to new heights in 2023, delivering several decisive knocks. He most notably achieved an outstanding century against Scotland in a crucial, high-stakes match that determined the World Cup qualifiers.

Throughout the 2023 World Cup, Bas de Leede showcased his exceptional skills as an all-rounder, making significant contributions to the Netherlands’ campaign. Starting strong with a four-wicket haul against Pakistan, he maintained a consistent performance, securing four two-wicket hauls and a three-wicket haul against England. On top of his bowling achievements, de Leede added 139 runs to the team’s total, even achieving a half-century against Pakistan.

Reflecting on the prestigious ICC Men’s Associate Cricketer of the Year award, Bas de Leede humbly acknowledged the stiff competition among his talented Dutch teammates. He admitted that the accolade could have quickly gone to deserving players sporting the orange Dutch shirts.

“I’m accepting the award, but I think most of the Dutch boys would have been in contention for it. So it’s a cool way to finish off a great year for The Netherlands.

“Looking at my performances, it’s probably the best I’ve played for Holland, which I’m very thankful for. I’m happy to have put in some performances to make that happen there.”

Unforgettable Showcase

On July 6, 2023, Bas de Leede achieved an incredible feat in a high-stakes cricket match against Scotland during the World Cup Qualifier. He became only the fifth player ever to score a century (100 runs) and take five wickets in the same One Day International game. The other four players who achieved this before were famous cricketers: Viv Richards, Amelia Kerr, Paul Collingwood, and Rohan Mustafa.

Bas de Leede started the match with an exceptional bowling performance, dismantling Scotland’s top order by claiming the crucial wickets of their key players Richie Berrington, George Munsey, and Chris McBride.

When it was time for the Netherlands to bat, Bas de Leede played very well. He scored 19 runs from his first 30 balls, then sped up to score an impressive 123 runs from just 92 deliveries. Although he got out before the team reached their target, his performance made it easy for his teammates to get the remaining two runs and win the game.

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