From running drinks to being vice-captain of Netherlands team, Max O'Dowd recalls eventful journey [Exclusive Interview]

It was two to three months back in July 2023 when the Netherlands team amazed the cricketing world by announcing their entry in the upcoming ODI World Cup 2023, in India. Meanwhile, there was Max O’Dowd, who was one of the vital cogs in the set-up for the Dutch team in their journey from Zimbabwe to India.

He ended up being the third-highest run-scorer for the Netherlands in the CWC 2023 Qualifiers. Recently, Max O’Dowd after being appointed as vice-captain of the side, in an exclusive conversation with CricTracker, spoke his heart out from carrying drinks as a youngster to become the vice-captain of the team in an ODI World Cup. Apart from that, the 29-year-old also spoke of his experiences with the Dutch team throughout these years.

Here’s a look at some excerpts from Max O’Dowd’s exclusive interview with CricTracker:

How much do you fancy your chances of being among the highest run-scorers in the ODI World Cup 2023?

It would be pretty cool if I could do it again, but it’s going to be extremely tough. Ten of the best teams are here so it’s going to be extremely tough. But you know, my role as a batter is to score runs and win games for my county. That’s going to be the plan and if that means I end up being the highest run scorer, then that’s amazing.

Also Check: Most Runs in ODI World Cup 2023

How would you like to reflect on the World Cup Qualifiers’ journey in Zimbabwe?

It was amazing, I guess the mindset for us going into the Qualifiers was the huge sense of belief. We were really focused on trying to play our best brand of cricket. For us, I guess there were things like running doubles very hard and doing the small basic things very well and I think we did that.

I mean if you look at the West Indies game, you know that was a great showcase of the belief we had, chasing 374 runs and Teja scoring 100, Logan doing what he did. It was an amazing experience, the whole tournament was awesome, it was tough, it was challenging, and there was a lot of pressure. But I felt we did an amazing job to be able to qualify.

Do you find any difference in the Dutch Team’s performance in the T20 World Cup 2022 and Cricket World Cup Qualifiers 2023? 

In the T20 World Cup, we played; we played good cricket. I wouldn’t say it was amazing cricket, it’s the difference in formats. You know, like the ODI, the ODI tournament was tough, it’s long, and it required a lot more mental strength. So, I mean if you look at the overall, if you compare the two in the we played, I think you know we were stronger in the ODI format. I think T20 cricket is a game where anything can happen, anyone could beat anyone, whereas ODI cricket, is a bit longer.

How much things have changed from your first India trip to this third one for ODI World Cup 2023?

So, change is my age, is the number one thing about. You know, last I was here in 2016 when I was 21 and I wasn’t playing. I was just running drinks. I mean, not much has changed in terms of the passion that Indian fans have. It’s always been the same. I’ve experienced new grounds, which I didn’t experience whilst I was here last time. So, these are the only real changes I’ve seen. Apart from that, it’s all been pretty similar.

How do you feel about this journey, from carrying drinks in 2016 to becoming the vice-captain in the ODI World Cup 2023?

It’s a big honour. It took a lot of different things, a lot of hard work, lots of sacrifices, lot of things that happened in my life that took me to travel to be here. It took a lot of coaches, a lot of training, and a sense of belief in what I could achieve as a player. It’s been an amazing journey to be a vice-captain and sitting alongside Scott Edwards.