Bas Zuiderent says Holland have a "massive belief" that they can cause a World Cup shock against England.
Holland batsman says belief is high ahead of England clash
Bas Zuiderent says Holland have a "massive belief" that they can cause a World Cup upset against England on Tuesday.
England were memorably stunned by the Dutch at Lord's in the opening match of their ICC World Twenty20 campaign in 2009.
And six of the players that appeared in that four-wicket win are set to be present again when the two teams meet at the VCA Stadium in Nagpur.
One of those will be former Sussex batsman Zuiderent, who believes the current squad has the ability to repeat the surprise result in the 50-over format.
"The England game is massive for us," he said.
"There is massive belief in the team. We really feel - and it is not just because of the Twenty20 win - that we can beat England.
"We're going to play very positive cricket, stick to our game-plan and make it tough for them. If you go in there thinking you've got no chance, what are you doing there?"
Change
Zuiderent has shone previously against England, making a half-century as a teenager during a World Cup clash in Peshawar 15 years ago.
He added: "The biggest change for me since 1996 has not been so much technical as mental. Back then, cricket was just a playground for me.
"I was only 18 and didn't really think about the importance of playing in a World Cup. It all passed in a blur.
"Then a few years later I became a professional, and it really changed me. I used to get very up and down emotionally; I hated the pressure of always having to perform.
"Now I run my own physio clinic back in Rotterdam; I'm my own boss, and it has calmed me down. Now I just play cricket for love."
Zuiderent also says that he will be up against two old friends from his time at Sussex, although he may be hoping Matt Prior and Mike Yardy are not at the top of their games on Tuesday.
He said: "Matt Prior, Mike Yardy and I are good friends. I'm really proud of how well they have done since our Sussex days."
