London, June 6 (IANS) Netherlands captain Jeroen Smits described their stunning
four-wicket victory over England in Twenty20 World Cup as a “historic” moment for Dutch cricket.

The Netherlands gave a spectacular start to the Twenty20 World Cup, shocking England in the opener at Lord’s Friday.

Smits and his team celebrated wildly after the dream victory.

“This result speaks for itself, doesn’t it? It’s a huge victory. Without doubt, the biggest day in Dutch cricket history,” Smits said.

The team is brimming with confidence and the skipper said they would be looking to cause a few more upsets.

“It’s a massive boost for Dutch cricket. Now we are looking to qualify for the Super Eights and maybe the semi-finals.”

Set a target of 163 runs, the Netherlands won the match in the last ball with Tom de Grooth smashing 49 and Peter Borren 30.

The victory sparked joyous celebration amongst their players and fans at a full-capacity Lord’s.

“This is a dream. To be out there today in front of a full house was amazing. I was in the zone. We went out there to play brave cricket and make England sweat a bit.”

The Netherlands players are not full-time professionals and are losing money as a result of taking part in the competition.

Smits recalled that in 1989 Netherlands beat an England A team featuring the likes of Test players Nasser Hussain, Alec Stewart and Derek Pringle. They had another impressive victory against an Australia side in 1964.

But he said winning against a full international side and that, too, in World Cup was a different feeling.

“We beat England A in 1989 but last year when we played in the Belfast qualification tournament for this event I said to the guys I had a goal to play in the opening match of the World Twenty20 at Lord’s.

“I’m really proud of the boys. It’s costing us a lot of money as we will all have to get more time away from work. I’m having to take extra days off work but I really don’t mind at this moment.

“I said to the boys in the dressing room we are going to do it today, play hard, play your shots, we have got nothing to lose.”