Sussex batsman Bas Zuiderent carries the hopes of a nation when the World Cup begins in South Africa this weekend.

Expectations of the Dutch public at the start of cricket's big jamboree are not quite as high as those in, say, Australia, or the host nation.

That will not worry Zuiderent, who hopes some good performances can help him secure a long-term future with his adopted county.

It will be the 25-year-old's second appearance on cricket's biggest stage. As a 18-year-old, he announced himself in India in 1996 when he scored a half-century against England.

Now, as one of the senior players in Holland's squad, he is aware that he will be under more pressure to perform.

He said: "Seven years ago I just went out there to enjoy myself but I really feel this time that I have got everything in place to produce the goods."

Success in South Africa for Holland would be beating the other group lightweights Namibia. Zuiderent is realistic enough to admit chances of upsetting Australia, India, Pakistan and England are remote.

"Most likely we're going to get a few thumpings," he admitted.

"It's a really hard group and beating Namibia, who we beat in the final of the last ICC Trophy is our target. We fancy our chances against them. But facing the likes of Glenn McGrath, Shane Warne and Shoaib Akhtar is going to be a fantastic experience and I'm really looking forward to it."

Meanwhile, England face decision day after their appeal against playing their controversial World Cup match in Zimbabwe was turned down.

Less than 24 hours after the technical committee voted unanimously that it was safe for the fixture to go ahead as scheduled in Harare on Thursday, the International Cricket Council's appeals commissioner Justice Albie Sachs upheld their decision.

That leaves the next move down to the England and Wales Cricket Board and ultimately the players, who twice called for an urgent review of the matter in recent weeks.