HOLLAND_IN_NWT_13APR94

Dutch lose out on B & H Cup place By Charles Randall

Holland will not be following Ireland and Scotland into the Benson and Hedges Cup, it was disclosed at Lord's yesterday. Instead the Test and County Cricket Board members, in a postal ballot today, are expected to vote the Dutch into next year's NatWest Trophy competition. The 18 professional counties, plus the Minor Counties and MCC, are due to ratify an amended TCCB proposal on the restructuring of the Benson and Hedges Cup, which is to revert to its distinctive groupings system next year. A month ago the TCCB decided to clear the way for Holland to gain a foot-hold in professional cricket in the Benson and Hedges Cup, but they postponed the decision. The prospect of two guaranteed home matches was seen as the ideal incentive for the Dutch to lay turf pitches and raise playing standards, attracting much-needed television coverage before the 1996 World Cup. Instead, the TCCB propose to allow the Dutch a NatWest place without any guarantee of a home fixture. Holland, where matting is the universal surface, must play away until they can offer an adequate turf pitch. Tim Lamb, a TCCB official, said the original proposal to raise the numbers in the Benson and Hedges Cup to 24 would create serious logistical problems with fixtures, and he added: "Holland are a little bit of an unknown quantity. We would run the slight risk of reducing the overall quality of matches played." Hans Nulder, vice-president of the Royal Netherlands Cricket Board, said yesterday the Dutch would be "very glad" to be admitted to the NatWest Trophy. The Benson and Hedges Cup numbers are to be set at 22 - the 18 counties plus Universities, Minor Counties, Scotland and Ireland. The ballot result is due to be announced on Monday.

(Thanks : The Daily Telegraph)