'I'm 31 but I feel 51 and look like 61'
Netherlands captain Peter Borren on his fictitious nicknames, speaking three-quarters Dutch, beating England twice, and how he scares his neighbours
Interview by Jack Wilson
01-Nov-2014
"Associate cricket is so cut-throat that if you have a bad day here or there it makes a massive difference" • AFP
Wikipedia reckons your nickname is "Big Dog Bozza". Is this fact or fiction?
(Laughs) Big Dog Bozza, really? That's complete fiction. I've never seen Wikipedia. I've never heard that before, that's funny.
(Laughs) Big Dog Bozza, really? That's complete fiction. I've never seen Wikipedia. I've never heard that before, that's funny.
So your nickname is just Baldrick, right?
Ah, Baldrick. I've heard this many, many times but no, it's not. That's wrong too.
Ah, Baldrick. I've heard this many, many times but no, it's not. That's wrong too.
So what is your nickname?
I don't have one! Just Bozza, sometimes, or Pete. Maybe a few of the boys have got nicknames for me that I haven't heard after I get angry in the field.
I don't have one! Just Bozza, sometimes, or Pete. Maybe a few of the boys have got nicknames for me that I haven't heard after I get angry in the field.
What is the best thing about captaining Netherlands?
Being able to decide where I bat.
Being able to decide where I bat.
And what is the worst?
Having to tell Mudassar Bukhari that he's batting down the order.
Having to tell Mudassar Bukhari that he's batting down the order.
You went from playing youth cricket for New Zealand to playing for Netherlands. Talk us through your decision to switch.
It wasn't really a decision. I came here on a whim. I played in the Under-19 World Cup in 2002 and I moved after that. The team we had was pretty handy back then. Jesse Ryder, Ross Taylor, Neil Broom and Rob Nicol all went on to play for New Zealand.
It wasn't really a decision. I came here on a whim. I played in the Under-19 World Cup in 2002 and I moved after that. The team we had was pretty handy back then. Jesse Ryder, Ross Taylor, Neil Broom and Rob Nicol all went on to play for New Zealand.
What are your dreams for cricket in Netherlands?
I personally hope that in the years to come the Netherlands team will be one with Dutch-bred players that are going in the right direction. There are talented cricketers out there that, with the expertise and encouragement, can go far. It's an area that's not been that good in the last few years. By 2018 or 2019, it would be great to have a fully Dutch-bred side. I could name you 11 young players that could progress into very good Associate cricketers. During my time, it's not necessarily been like that. That's not against guys from overseas, including myself, as without many of these players the Dutch-bred ones wouldn't have a high level to play at.
I personally hope that in the years to come the Netherlands team will be one with Dutch-bred players that are going in the right direction. There are talented cricketers out there that, with the expertise and encouragement, can go far. It's an area that's not been that good in the last few years. By 2018 or 2019, it would be great to have a fully Dutch-bred side. I could name you 11 young players that could progress into very good Associate cricketers. During my time, it's not necessarily been like that. That's not against guys from overseas, including myself, as without many of these players the Dutch-bred ones wouldn't have a high level to play at.
You made your Netherlands debut in 2006. How have things changed from then to now?
An awful lot. We were pretty amateur. No one was getting paid and we didn't have a full-time coach. We'd get like €20 a day and we'd go to a tournament for two weeks in a year and train once a week. That has completely changed now. We've now got six full-time players but it's more like 12. In January this year we didn't qualify for the World Cup, so we've not been quite as busy again. Associate cricket is so cut-throat that if you have a bad day here or there it makes a massive difference. Now it's a lot more professional but we're still under a little bit of threat. We have to qualify for major events or we'll struggle for funding.
An awful lot. We were pretty amateur. No one was getting paid and we didn't have a full-time coach. We'd get like €20 a day and we'd go to a tournament for two weeks in a year and train once a week. That has completely changed now. We've now got six full-time players but it's more like 12. In January this year we didn't qualify for the World Cup, so we've not been quite as busy again. Associate cricket is so cut-throat that if you have a bad day here or there it makes a massive difference. Now it's a lot more professional but we're still under a little bit of threat. We have to qualify for major events or we'll struggle for funding.
Who is the best Dutch cricketer of all time?
Ryan ten Doeschate. His record for Holland is unbelievable. His consistency of performance as well. He averages 67 in ODIs. People say it's against the likes of Scotland and Ireland but there are plenty of other good cricketers who don't average anything like that.
Ryan ten Doeschate. His record for Holland is unbelievable. His consistency of performance as well. He averages 67 in ODIs. People say it's against the likes of Scotland and Ireland but there are plenty of other good cricketers who don't average anything like that.
"By 2018 or 2019, it would be great to have a fully Dutch-bred side. That's not against guys from overseas, including myself"
Who has the best kit in international cricket?
It's hard to go past the bright pink one that the English wore in the World T20 but our orange is pretty impressive. It's hard to beat the full orange. I sometimes wear the orange pants around the house to scare the neighbours.
It's hard to go past the bright pink one that the English wore in the World T20 but our orange is pretty impressive. It's hard to beat the full orange. I sometimes wear the orange pants around the house to scare the neighbours.
Who is the best fielder?
It might have been me until a few years ago! I'm 31 but I feel 51 and look like 61. I'll go with Pieter Seelaar.
It might have been me until a few years ago! I'm 31 but I feel 51 and look like 61. I'll go with Pieter Seelaar.
Name a young star to watch out for.
Vivian Kingma. He runs in, swings the white Kookaburra at good pace and has the X factor.
Vivian Kingma. He runs in, swings the white Kookaburra at good pace and has the X factor.
You need six to win a game. Who do you want on strike?
Tom Cooper or Barresi. I've never seen either of them do it - but I'll go with Barresi.
Tom Cooper or Barresi. I've never seen either of them do it - but I'll go with Barresi.
Talk us through the celebrations after you beat England in 2009 - and then in 2014. Can you remember them?
I can remember them in 2009. That was pretty awesome. We initially lost the plot and just ran out on to the field. After, we had a huge night in a hotel in London. There was a good Dutch contingent in the crowd that came back with us and we had a pretty big night. It was a euphoric sensation. Everyone was pretty hungover at breakfast but the spirits were still great. This year, there was not much celebration because, without being arrogant, it was not that close. It was not as big a surprise, as we felt we should have beaten South Africa before that. Chittagong is a bit different to Lord's, too, and we were on a plane three hours after.
I can remember them in 2009. That was pretty awesome. We initially lost the plot and just ran out on to the field. After, we had a huge night in a hotel in London. There was a good Dutch contingent in the crowd that came back with us and we had a pretty big night. It was a euphoric sensation. Everyone was pretty hungover at breakfast but the spirits were still great. This year, there was not much celebration because, without being arrogant, it was not that close. It was not as big a surprise, as we felt we should have beaten South Africa before that. Chittagong is a bit different to Lord's, too, and we were on a plane three hours after.
What is the highlight of your career?
The win against England in 2009 is up there. We were nowhere then, pretty amateur, to be honest. It's hard to compare then and now. Actually, I'll say that 2014 as a whole has been a highlight. We were the only Associate team in the main draw at the World T20, we beat Ireland in 14 overs and beat England too.
The win against England in 2009 is up there. We were nowhere then, pretty amateur, to be honest. It's hard to compare then and now. Actually, I'll say that 2014 as a whole has been a highlight. We were the only Associate team in the main draw at the World T20, we beat Ireland in 14 overs and beat England too.
Who will win the World Cup next year?
New Zealand or Australia. One of those two.
New Zealand or Australia. One of those two.
Who is the wittiest sledger in the Netherlands team?
We have a couple of sledgers but Barresi and Seelaar are hopeless. Michael Swart is pretty good.
We have a couple of sledgers but Barresi and Seelaar are hopeless. Michael Swart is pretty good.
Who is the best Associate cricketer in the world?
Paul Stirling.
Paul Stirling.
If you could have any player in cricket to join you in the Dutch side, who would you want?
Mitchell Johnson. I'd have him and avoid him in the nets. Either Johnson or AB de Villiers.
Mitchell Johnson. I'd have him and avoid him in the nets. Either Johnson or AB de Villiers.
How many languages can you speak?
I'll go with 1.75. I can speak three-quarters Dutch!
I'll go with 1.75. I can speak three-quarters Dutch!
Who is the toughest bowler you have ever faced?
Shane Bond. He had incredible accuracy and pace. He bowled at full pelt and, with the angle in, you knew he could hit you at will.
Shane Bond. He had incredible accuracy and pace. He bowled at full pelt and, with the angle in, you knew he could hit you at will.
Which ground is the best in Netherlands?
That's not even close: the VRA Cricket Ground [in Amstelveen].
That's not even close: the VRA Cricket Ground [in Amstelveen].