Netherlands all-rounder Logan van Beek feels that chasing Test status could hamper the chance of getting more players involved in Dutch cricket. Van Beek feels the focus for the Netherlands should be on white-ball cricket and allowing players to take part in other leagues.
"Yeah, I love Test cricket. Test cricket is something that I grew up watching. I still play four-day cricket in New Zealand and in county cricket. I firmly believe it's a great baseline to learn how to bat time, learn how to bowl long spells, but also learn how to play when you're tired. And for me the other day, in that Sri Lanka game, I betted for a couple hours, and then I had to go open the bowling. But I knew that I could do it because I had done it in four-day cricket. So that was the benefits of longer form cricket. I think in terms of for the Netherlands, I think chasing Test status could hamper getting more players involved in the Netherlands. I think the beauty is, for me personally - like if the Netherlands had Test status, then I wouldn't be able to go back and play in New Zealand or Colin Ackerman they can't go play County cricket or anything like that."
"So I think the more we can I guess at this stage focus on the T20 and one day cricket and give guys opportunity to play in other leagues and around the world and give people in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh doesn't matter if they've got Dutch passports or if they want to play international cricket to come to the Netherlands do the qualifications like Teja Nidamanuru and Sybrand Engelbrecht have done and play international cricket, and so I think that's more positive in the short term for us? And then if we gain momentum and we've got a pool of players that can compete in Test match ricket in the future, then yeah, we'll definitely push for that," said Van Beek.
The Central Bureau of Investigation Director has received a one-year extension, continuing in the role until May next year. The decision was made by a high-power committee comprising the Prime Minister, the Chief Justice of India, and the Leader of Opposition.
The latest edition of Statecraft covers major geopolitical shifts as US President Donald Trump arrives in Beijing to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping. The visit, occurring amid the ongoing West Asia conflict and the Strait of Hormuz blockade, focusses on trade, tariffs, and the Iran war.
In this episode of Newstrack, watch the exclusive interview of Niti Aayog Vice Chairman Ashok Lahiri as he decodes PM Modi's austerity push amid the escalating crisis in West Asia.
The central government has implemented austerity measures, including reducing ministerial convoys to two vehicles, in response to a looming fuel crisis driven by West Asian geopolitical tensions. While the ruling party frames this as a necessary fiscal step, opposition leaders have labeled the move tokenism, demanding a special parliamentary session to address the economic situation and rising oil prices. Simultaneously, the national currency has depreciated to an all-time low against the dollar, prompting calls from experts for fiscal consolidation and reduced political populism. Amidst these economic challenges, a major controversy has emerged regarding the national medical entrance examination. Investigations into an alleged paper leak and an interstate exam mafia have resulted in multiple arrests across several states, revealing potential political links. Education experts are now advocating for a complete overhaul of the testing system, suggesting decentralized, computer-based examinations to ensure future transparency. Transparency activists further urge the government to disclose fuel stock data to prevent public panic and hoarding during this period of economic instability.
