Van Bunge wants another crack at Gibbs

Dublin, Jul 27 (UNI) Netherlands all-rounder Daan van Bunge would love a re-match with Herschelle Gibbs in the ICC World Twenty20 in England next year.

South African batsman Gibbs clubbed van Bunge for a record six sixes in an over in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 in St Kitts, and the 25-year-old has challenged Gibbs to take him on once more.

''It would be great to play Herschelle again in England next year and I wouldn't mind if he tries to repeat that feat again,'' van Bunge said. ''But I am sure whatever he does, he wouldn't be able to hit me again for 36 runs in an over,'' he added.

''It will be a great chance for me to play against Herschelle.

And if I can take revenge, then it would be a perfect icing on the cake. It goes without saying that whenever I get an opportunity to play against him, I will target him as my prime wicket.'' Van Bunge is currently in Dublin for the ICC European Championships with his Dutch team-mates.

To earn a re-match with South Africa, the Netherlands has to finish third in the six-team ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier to be held in Belfast, Ireland from August 2 to 5 and then hope the ICC Board ratifies Zimbabwe Cricket's decision to step back from the ICC World Twenty20 2009 taken during the ICC Annual Conference week.

If that happens, a third place finish in the event will mean a spot in Group B alongside South Africa and New Zealand.

Both finalists in the four-day tournament in Belfast are guaranteed places for the England event which will take place at Lord's, The Oval and Trent Bridge next June.

Van Bunge said his team had a good chance to reach next year's event.

''As a team, we have to back ourselves because if we didn't think we had a chance to qualify, we wouldn't be here. In fact, any team that doesn't think it has a chance should stay back,'' he maintained. ''Our first objective is to qualify for the semi-final and then see what happens. We are still left with three games (in the ICC European Championships) before the main event starts and I am confident that by the time the tournament begins in Belfast, we will be in a good shape.'' The Netherlands, seeded fourth, has Kenya and Canada in its group.

Top seed Ireland, Scotland and Bermuda form the other group.

Van Bunge said Twenty20 cricket was not a new concept to the Netherlands and smaller teams had a good chance to beat the stronger sides in this brand of cricket.

''Twenty20 cricket was introduced in the Netherlands two years ago and we love and enjoy playing it.'' ''I think the shorter version of the game gives the smaller teams a better chance to upset the more fancied and experienced teams as the Twenty20 format really suits the developing nations, which are short of options and lack in experience,'' he said.

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