Dutch doctor Caroline de Lange quits hospital job for 2026 T20 World Cup dream

A 27-year-old Dutch doctor left her hospital job to chase her cricket dream at the 2026 T20 World Cup.

Dutch squad prepares for debut Netherlands will face Bangladesh at Edgbaston on Sunday in their first-ever match at the 2026 T20 World Cup. The Dutch team includes a mix of amateur players balancing careers or studies alongside cricket. Only batter Sterre Kalis plays professional cricket in England, while others juggle exams and jobs during tours. ## Doctor makes bold career switch Caroline de Lange, a 27-year-old doctor, quit her hospital job to pursue her cricket ambitions after qualifying for the 2026 T20 World Cup. She had already decided to leave before the qualification matches, stating, "I love my job but I was really happy." She graduated from medical school in March 2025 and worked in a neurology department, including solo night shifts. She admitted her hospital internships made her question if medicine suited her, but she pushed through to grow as both a person and a doctor. ## Juggling shifts and cricket dreams De Lange used up all her holiday days during qualifiers, tournaments, and the World Cup qualifiers in January, forcing an earlier resignation than planned. She took on tough shifts to establish herself fully as a doctor, saying, "It was tough, but I really enjoyed it." She acknowledged the challenge of balancing a demanding hospital schedule with cricket but found the experience rewarding. ## Netherlands face uphill climb Netherlands have one professional cricketer in Sterre Kalis, with the rest balancing cricket alongside studies or jobs. During a recent tri-series, some players flew in and out of Edinburgh to take exams. Despite losses to Scotland and mixed results against Bangladesh, de Lange believes they can compete. She said, "We want to show the world that we can play good cricket." ## Captain sets lofty goals Netherlands captain Babette de Leede aims for a top-eight finish to avoid future qualification battles, requiring at least two wins. She called the win against Bangladesh "massive" after earlier heavy defeats. The team’s ambition includes boosting cricket’s profile in the Netherlands, with national broadcaster NOS streaming matches for the first time. De Leede shared her awe at sharing the field with idols like Harmanpreet Kaur, saying, "It feels like I'm in a dream sometimes." ## Balancing ambition and gratitude De Lange admitted mixed feelings about professional opportunities in other nations, but she values her chance to play internationally. She said, "I would love to play professionally, but I also think this is part of our story, and I'm proud of how everyone's doing." She sees their journey as unique and worth celebrating, even amid competitive pressures.