Cooper aims to use Holland all the way to Oz

2015 World Cup

Cricket365
October 29, 2014

Netherlands batsman Tom Cooper admits he has always planned on using his talents for the Dutch to propel him into the Australia team, and will continue that plan at the World Cup in the Antipodes next year.

Cooper is Holland’s star batsman, and qualifies for them thanks to his Dutch mother, even though he was born in Australia. He told Cricinfo that he’d never considered playing for Holland until they called him, and has been open about his Baggy Green ambitions.

He said, having played for Australia A recently: “All along – and Dutch cricket has known this – my goal and my dream has been to play for Australia.

“Up until that late-night phone message it hadn’t even crossed my mind that I was eligible or that there was an opportunity to play for Netherlands. They’ve always been aware that my No. 1 goal is playing for Australia.

“To get the opportunity to play in a World Cup, in my opinion, can only be good. If you can perform and get your name known, then who knows?

“Dirk Nannes went from the Dutch side to the Australian side, and who is to say if it was helpful, but it certainly got him in the limelight. The more opportunities you can get, the better.

“You have to score runs or take wickets when you get that opportunity, but it would be silly to turn it down.”

He added that he’d be happy to keep playing for Holland if Australia didn’t take him up on his talents: “Being an Associate nation, it doesn’t directly affect being picked by the Australian side.

“So I don’t have to put an end date on it. I just have to wait and see where it goes. From a selfish point of view, I would like to score a load more runs this year and get my name right up there for Australian selection.

“But if that doesn’t happen and further opportunities arrive with the Dutch team I would be silly to close the door on them, because they have done a lot for me along the way.”