Minnows pressured by looming Cup axe, say Dutch

Netherlands captain Peter Borren believes that living in the shadow of the World Cup axe has pushed cricket's minnows to breaking point.

The International Cricket Council has decided to cut the 2015 World Cup to 10 teams from the current 14, almost certainly leaving associate nations such as the Dutch out in the cold.

"We have played only one game (against England) and we know we are going to be judged by the ICC after this tournament, probably more harshly. They will take into account our performance," Borren said.

"The move by the ICC has put a bit of pressure on us to perform. We played a full member team just once in the last three to four years before this World Cup. So we need to play them more. We need to perform here because some pressure is there."

The Netherlands gave a good account of themselves in their opening game against England with Ryan ten Doeschate lashing 119 in an impressive total of 292-6 before the English won by six wickets with just eight balls to spare.

They play West Indies in their next World Cup Group B match on Monday in New Delhi and the skipper said they are expecting some good all-round cricket.