Netherlands wicketkeeper-batter Scott Edwards has stepped down as the side’s ODI captain, bringing an end to a four-year leadership stint. The decision was confirmed on July 31, 2026, at the close of the Utrecht leg of the ICC Cricket World Cup League 2, with allrounder Bas de Leede taking over the role for the remainder of the tournament.

A Four-Year Tenure Comes to a Close

Edwards, 29, first took over the ODI captaincy in June 2022, stepping in after the opening match of England’s tour of the Netherlands and replacing Pieter Seelaar in the role. Across his tenure he led the side in 56 ODIs, recording 24 wins against 29 defeats.

He chose to share the news with his teammates directly at the end of the Utrecht fixtures. Speaking to Cricinfo, Edwards said he was sorry for springing the decision on the squad, explaining that it was something he had discussed with then-head coach Ryan Cook and others before concluding that this was the right time to step aside.

The Highlights of Edwards’ Captaincy

Edwards’ time in charge included some of the Netherlands’ most memorable moments in white-ball cricket. At the 2023 ODI World Cup, his side pulled off notable wins over South Africa in Dharamsala and Bangladesh in Kolkata — results that stood among the tournament’s biggest upsets.

His leadership extended beyond the 50-over format as well. Edwards captained the Netherlands in 50 of the 86 T20Is he featured in, a run that included victories over Zimbabwe and South Africa at the 2022 T20 World Cup. The win over South Africa in that tournament proved costly for the Proteas, contributing to their elimination from the competition.

De Leede Steps Into the Captain’s Role

The armband now passes to Bas de Leede, widely regarded as one of the Netherlands’ key players. At 26, the allrounder will lead the side through the rest of the current CWC League 2 campaign, taking over from a teammate he credited for shaping the environment around him.

De Leede said Edwards’ leadership had benefited not just the team as a whole but individual players within it, praising him for putting others in a position to succeed. He added that he was excited to see what lay ahead for Edwards as a player and said he was looking forward to leading him on the field.

Edwards’ Legacy as Captain

Edwards’ four years in charge saw the Netherlands compete against some of the sport’s leading sides on the biggest stages, including the 2023 ODI World Cup and the 2022 T20 World Cup. His captaincy record of 24 wins from 56 ODIs, paired with high-profile victories over Full Member nations, reflects a period in which the team punched above its weight on several occasions.

With Edwards now stepping back from the leadership role, his contribution — as acknowledged by his successor — centred on creating a setup where teammates could perform at their best.

Looking Ahead

The Netherlands’ immediate focus turns to the remainder of the ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 campaign, which de Leede will now oversee as captain. The transition marks a new chapter for the side’s white-ball setup, with Edwards remaining part of the squad as a player following his decision to give up the captaincy.

FAQs: Scott Edwards Steps Down as Netherlands ODI Captain

1. When did Scott Edwards step down as Netherlands ODI captain?
   Edwards stepped down on July 31, 2026, at the conclusion of the Utrecht leg of the ICC Cricket World Cup League 2.
2. Who has replaced Scott Edwards as Netherlands ODI captain?
   Allrounder Bas de Leede has been named his successor and will lead the side for the remainder of CWC League 2.
3. How long was Scott Edwards captain, and what was his record?
   Edwards captained the Netherlands in 56 ODIs over four years, winning 24 and losing 29. He was first appointed in June 2022, replacing Pieter Seelaar, after the opening match of England’s tour of the Netherlands.
4. What were Scott Edwards’ biggest achievements as captain?
   His standout results included ODI wins over South Africa in Dharamsala and Bangladesh in Kolkata at the 2023 ODI World Cup. In T20Is, he captained the side in 50 of 86 matches, including wins over Zimbabwe and South Africa at the 2022 T20 World Cup — the South Africa win contributing to their elimination from that tournament.
5. Who is Bas de Leede, and what did he say about Edwards?
   De Leede, 26, is regarded as one of the Netherlands’ leading players. He credited Edwards for creating an environment that set both the team and individual players up for success, and said he was looking forward to leading him on the field going forward.