‘Aussie’ Nannes dreams of facing Ponting’s men

Japanese-speaking fast bowler Dirk Nannes is desperate for the Netherlands to reach the World Twenty Super Eights so that he can take on the mighty Australians.

The 33-year-old left-armer had harboured outside hopes of making the Australian team, but once that door was closed, he was more than happy to join the Dutch squad.

Nannes has played for Middlesex in English county cricket as well as Victoria in Australia and qualifies for the Netherlands courtesy of his Dutch-born parents who settled down under.

His first priority is to try and help his team negotiate a way out of Group B which features hosts England and 2007 runners-up Pakistan.

That would likely set-up a chance against Ricky Ponting’s Australians in the Super Eights.

“I’m not really that fussed that (Australia) are not picking me,” Nannes told www.cricinfo.com

“Of course I would like to play for them, but I’ve been given a really good opportunity by the Dutch team. If I play for Holland, I will probably make the starting XI.

“If I was picked in the 30-man squad for Australia, the chances are I wouldn’t play and they’ll play other people.

THE HAGUE, Sunday, AFP