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London: Hosts England open the ICC World Twenty20 against outsiders the Netherlands at Lord's on Friday in a match they dare not lose and the Dutch hope they might win.
In pace bowler Dirk Nannes, who plays at Lord's for Middlesex, the Dutch have a left-arm quick who can swing the ball late.
In contrast to the ebullience of some of the other ICC World Twenty20 2009 contenders, England open the tournament on Friday almost apologising for their presence.
Although the hosts should not be unduly extended by the Netherlands at Lord's (1730 local), captain Paul Collingwood was noticeably downbeat after his side's unimpressive victory over Scotland in Tuesday's warmup match.
"There are not a lot of expectations on us to be honest," Collingwood told reporters. "We are dark horses. Hopefully that will give the boys a bit more of a licence."
Collingwood was in better spirits a day later when England recorded a seventh successive victory over West Indies, cruising to an untroubled nine wickets win with 32 balls to spare at Lord's.
Ravi Bopara, who scored three successive test centuries against West Indies, was again in fine touch with 60 from 35 balls.
England's leading batsman Kevin Pietersen also showed some form against the Scots after missing the one-day series against West Indies with an achilles tendon injury.
Pietersen, who made two ducks in the Indian Premier League and perished first ball in the first test against West Indies, completed the win on Tuesday with a pulled six to reach 53 not out from 39 balls.
The Netherlands are 500-1 outsiders but Dutch captain Jeroen Smits told the captains' news conference last Sunday that all the pressure would be on England.
"There's no pressure on us," he said. "There's no Dutch reporters here."
Dirk Nannes' career has repeatedly defied expectation. Indeed there is a case for saying he is the most unorthodox player at this tournament - and that has nothing to do with his left-arm pace bowling.
A self-confessed "accidental cricketer", the Japanese speaking and saxophone playing Nannes, who also runs a ski-travel company, only made his first-class debut at the relatively late age of 29 during the 2005-06 season.
The Melbourne-born quick enjoyed success with Victoria in both first-class and Twenty20 cricket, taking four for 23 as the Bushrangers won the 2008 Australian domestic Twenty20 final against Western Australia.
Nannes' form 'down under' led to a contract with Lord's based Middlesex.
The tournament, which is being staged at Lord's and the Oval in London and Trent Bridge in Nottingham, gets into full swing on Saturday with three matches. Champions India, who thrashed Pakistan by nine wickets on Wednesday, open their Cup defence against Bangladesh at Trent Bridge (1700).
All-rounder Ryan ten Doeschate is another key figure for the Dutch and this match could see him in action against at least two of his Essex team-mates in opening batsman Ravi Bopara and wicket-keeper James Foster, with the big-hitting Graham Napier also in England's squad.
Match facts
Friday June 05, 2009 (day/night)
Start time 17.30 local, 16.30GMT
