Benjamin Nicolas Cooper, a prominent cricket player from the Netherlands, established himself as one of the finest left-handed batsmen in the country. Born on November 3, 1992, Cooper left an indelible mark on Dutch cricket during his illustrious career.
Coming from a cricket-loving family, Cooper followed in the footsteps of his older brother, Tom Cooper, who also pursued a successful cricket career. They both held dual citizenship of the Netherlands and Australia, which opened the doors for Ben to represent the Netherlands on the international stage. Ben’s remarkable journey began with his participation in Australian junior cricket, culminating in his selection for the Northern Territory’s U-19 National Championship in 2010.
In 2013, Cooper joined the Dutch Topklasse limited-overs competition, where he showcased his exceptional batting skills. That season, he finished as the leading run-scorer, accumulating an impressive 866 runs. His consistent performances quickly caught the attention of the national selectors, and he made his debut for the Netherlands against Canada in the World Cricket League Championship later that year.
While Cooper’s individual contributions were not always remarkable in Dutch colors, he was part of two extraordinary partnerships that etched his name in the record books. In February 2017, he forged a record-breaking 288-run partnership with Pieter Seelaar for the sixth wicket in an Intercontinental Cup match against Hong Kong. Cooper’s unbeaten knock of 173 not out in that match played a significant role in securing a memorable draw and earning him the Player-of-the-Match award.
Later that year in December, Cooper’s unbeaten century, along with a 236-run partnership with Wesley Barresi, became the highest partnership for any wicket in the history of the World Cricket League Championship. Their exceptional performance propelled the Netherlands to victory over Namibia, ultimately helping the team regain their esteemed ODI status.
Cooper’s statistical feats are equally impressive. Retiring in January 2022, he accumulated a staggering 1239 runs in T20Is, making him the highest run-scorer for the Netherlands in this format. Furthermore, he became the first and only Dutch player to surpass the 1000-run mark in T20 cricket.
Cooper’s contribution to the team was not limited to batting alone. Known for his safe pair of hands, he also holds the record for the most catches (35) in T20Is by a Netherlands player who is not a wicketkeeper.
Off the field, Cooper’s dedication to the sport and his unwavering love for cricket made him a highly respected figure. As a role model for aspiring cricketers in the Netherlands, he inspired many with his professionalism, determination, and unwavering commitment to the game.
As Benjamin Nicolas Cooper bid farewell to his cricketing career, the Dutch cricketing fraternity celebrated his immense contributions and acknowledged the lasting impact he made on the sport. His remarkable achievements will forever be etched in the annals of Netherlands cricket, and his name will be remembered as one of the all-time greats in Dutch cricket history.