BLOEMFONTEIN, March 3: On Monday, Feiko Kloppenburg was a cricket World Cup hero, decked out in bright orange kit.
One week on and he’ll be back at his desk, a lawyer in a crisp, sober suit.
Kloppenburg became the first Dutchman to score a one-day century on Monday as Holland concluded their tournament with a 64-run victory over Namibia.
The 28-year-old, who also took four wickets with his right-arm medium pace to earn the Man-of-the-Match award as Namibia were bowled out for 250, told reporters: “I have to be back at work on Monday.
“Still, I’m luckier than (team mate) Luuk (van Troost). He’s taken unpaid leave to play and is back at work on Thursday.
Kloppenburg, who specialises in company and labour law, added: “It was important to beat Namibia and finish on a high note as the best of the amateur sides. It would have been a big setback if we had lost.”
Kloppenburg made 121 while Klaas Jan van Noortwijk made 134 not out off 129 deliveries.
Van Troost, who teaches children with learning difficulties, led the side to their first World Cup win on Monday after regular captain Roland Lefebvre missed the game with injury. Van Troost dedicated the win to the 40-year-old Lefebvre, who retired after the game.
Van Troost, whose brother Andre played country cricket with Lefebvre at Somerset, added: “It was the perfect ending. I hope the International Cricket Council will give us more help after this, because we’ll get alot better, and quickly.”—Reuters