van Bunge seeks revenge against Gibbs

The Netherlands allrounder Daan van Bunge is looking forward to the possibility of a rematch against Herschelle Gibbs during the World Twenty20 in England in 2009. van Bunge has said he would target Gibbs as his "prime wicket" if he gets the opportunity to play South Africa.

Gibbs, the South Africa batsman, hit van Bunge for a record six sixes in an over during the 2007 World Cup in St Kitts and the bowler 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," said van Bunge, currently in Dublin for the European Championships.

van Bunge said his team had a good chance to qualify for 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.

"Our first objective is to qualify for the semi-final and then see what happens. We are still left with three games (in the European Championships) before the main event starts and I am confident that by the time the World Twenty20 Qualifier begins in Belfast, we will be in a good shape," said van Bunge.

Both finalists of the World Twenty20 Qualifier tournament in Belfast are guaranteed places in the tournament which will take place at Lord's, The Oval and Trent Bridge in June 2009.

Group A comprises the Netherlands, Kenya and Canada while Ireland, Scotland and Bermuda form Group B.

van Bunge said Twenty20 cricket was not a new concept to the Netherlands. "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 experience," he said.

Netherlands Peter Borren (capt), Mudassar Bukhari, Daan van Bunge, Tom De Grooth, Maurits Jonkman, Alexei Kervezee, Geert M. Mol, Pieter Seelaar, Darron Reekers, Edgar Schiferli, Jelte Schoonheim, Eric Szwarzcyniski, Ryan ten Doeschate, Bas Zuiderent.