New Delhi: Former cricket stars Jonty Rhodes, Faf du Plessis, and Heinrich Klaasen have secured the Rotterdam franchise for the upcoming European T20 Premier League. The tournament is set to commence on August 26, featuring teams from Glasgow, Amsterdam, Edinburgh, Dublin, and Belfast, marking a significant step in promoting cricket in Europe, particularly with the recent successes of Italy, Scotland, and the Netherlands.
On April 30, during an official announcement, Faf du Plessis was appointed as the captain of the Rotterdam team. Co-owner Jonty Rhodes emphasized his commitment to creating a sustainable cricket ecosystem in Rotterdam to facilitate the growth of local players. However, he acknowledged the challenges posed by winter conditions, which prevent local players from participating in the sport due to snow-covered grounds. This concern was highlighted by the media manager of the Netherlands during the T20 World Cup 2026 discussions.
Rhodes expressed aspirations to address these hurdles, stating the aim to connect European players with training opportunities in India and South Africa within a high-performance structure. He noted that a four-week tournament alone would not suffice to develop talent; therefore, the focus would be on providing extensive training throughout the year.
“We are trying to ensure exactly that. It’s not a four-week tournament. You are not going to make a dent in anything in four weeks. But, during their winter season, we provide them the opportunity to come to India, come to South Africa. Play club cricket, have coaching facilities that are outside the European summer. When it’s winter there, they still have the opportunity to work as part of a squad, work in a high-performance environment for eight to ten months in a year,” Rhodes stated during a media interaction.
Furthermore, Jonty Rhodes reiterated that the initiative aims not just to develop the players but to enhance the entire cricket ecosystem. He mentioned plans to involve local staff and management and to send European coaches to India and South Africa, ensuring comprehensive growth for the sport.
