Twenty20 World Cup / Ryan ten doeschate / 05 June 2009 / 1 Comments

Holland's star all-rounder tells us about keeping the ICC happy, the electric support at a Pakistan v India clash and facing a trio of Essex team-mates in tonight's opening match against England.

It's been an unbelievable week and the World Cup proper has not even started yet.

Our training sessions have been keenly followed by journalists and the common theme of questioning was about our chances of upsetting England tonight (Friday).

We've also been busy fulfilling our ICC requirements. Bat signings, photographs, television introductions and Q&A sheets are all part of the process. The boys have really put their heads down and everyone has been working really well. The coaching staff have also been busy in devising our tactics and the mood in the camp is expectant and exciting.

Wednesday was the final dress rehearsal and our victory over the Scots at the Oval put a nice finish to our preparations. The margin of victory was ironically very similar to that of England's over the same team the day before. All our bowlers put in a good set and it was once again Dirk Nannes and our left-arm spinner Peter Seelaar who proved a real handful for the batsman.

Dirk sent down some quick deliveries and I'm looking forward to seeing how the England batters will approach him. The run-chase was well compiled and I only needed to see the team home with seven not out. Cub (Alexei Kervesee) played particularly well mixing some deft touches with some power hitting.

We stayed on to watch India v Pakistan. What an experience that was. I have never seen such passionate supporting at a cricket match and, to put it into perspective, it rivalled any football derby. The noise that greeted every boundary or wicket was immense and I looked on imagining how good it would be to play in front of such a crowd. Again India's performance was immaculate and they look like they have their house in order.

It was fantastic to see the support both teams got. As a small team we're lucky to be outside the limelight but close enough to get a good account of all the frenzy attached to teams like India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Australia. We will however be right in the thick of things tonight and dealing with the atmosphere will go a long way to putting on our best display. We're trying to create a sense of excitement rather than being nervous about the big occasion.

Today promises to be a very special day and I am particularly looking forward to lining up against three team-mates from Essex. We've been through a lot together in the last five or so years but all that will be put aside. It's been a treat to see the three players develop into international cricketers and I'm particularly delighted for Fossie (James Foster) who has been a consistent performer at Essex. Napes (Graham Napier) had an explosive summer in 2008 and the IPL experience, even though he didn't actually get to play a match, has also improved his overall game. Rav (Bopara) has come back twice the player he was after a sombre start to his international career.

I'll be 'targeting' Rav (as a Glenn McGrath or Mitchell Johnson would say), purely on the basis of seven years of good banter. Having said that, I am fully expecting to be targeted by all three of them! I also had the pleasure of playing with Andy Flower who has had a massive positive impact since taking over as England's head coach.

Thursday was a fairly light day. An early morning training session was followed by lunch with the Dutch ambassador and then a very lazy afternoon which included a nap. It's kind of like the calm before the storm as I fully expect to be in the middle of the crash, bang and wallop that is T20 cricket come half five this evening.

The group phase will certainly give some more clues as to who could take the 2009 title but, for me, New Zealand, India and South Africa are the big contenders. The first round of warm-up matches have set the tone and I am expecting a competition that will match up to the excitement of the inaugural event of 2007.

I am also hoping for a tournament that throws up some surprises!