31-year-old Bernard Loots, who replaced Maurits Jonkman in the Netherlands side only last evening, reflecting on his debut, said: “I heard on Tuesday that I may be playing and the clearance came through yesterday so it's been exciting and also happened quite quickly.

“I bowled decently although it was very disappointing to lose as that would have crowned the day for me. I'm realistic about my role in the side - I know I'm there more as a container than a striker but I only went for two runs an over today and I'll settle for that and the three wickets were a great bonus.

“My first wicket (from his second ball) maybe popped a little and I managed to hold on to the catch in my follow-through. That settled the nerves down but I'm not a spring chicken and I knew what I had to do, it was a case of trying to stay calm, hit my areas and do what was required.”

Loots said he was keen to play in next year's ICC Cricket World Cup 2011. “The World Cup is definitely an ambition but it's a case of one step at a time. What I've got is an opportunity and all I can do now is continue to perform.

“If the World Cup comes then it's an added bonus but there's much work for us all to do before then.”