For Dutch all-rounder Lion-Cachet, sport runs in the family

The Netherlands all-rounder Zach Lion-Cachet is the new kid on the block, but he need not look beyond his parents for inspiration in sport.

The 22-year-old’s father, Chad Lion-Cachet, represented the Dutch rugby team while his mother, Sarah Loosemore, is a former British No.1 in tennis. It is no wonder that Lion-Cachet, a player with 24 international appearances (13 T20Is and 11 ODIs) to his name, has been turning to his ‘pillars of strength’ to make good strides at the upper echelons of the game.

“My father and mother massively influenced my drive while I grew up. They have been supporting me, and they are massive inspirations to me. It is not just about sport; they have been giving me so much in life as well. I am just thankful to them,” the Oxford-born Lion-Cachet told The Hindu on the eve of the T20 World Cup Group A contest against the USA at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium here.

He is understandably “proud” to continue his family’s tradition of competing on the grandest sporting stages. “Playing international cricket for the Netherlands is something that I do not take lightly. My father played for the Netherlands, but in a different sport. It is a dream come true for me to play at this level,” said the off-spinner.

Face-off with Bellingham

Before Lion-Cachet found his calling in cricket, he had a tryst with football. He honed his football skills at the Southampton academy for 10 years and even went up against Jude Bellingham when the Real Madrid star was making waves as a teenager at Birmingham City.

“I loved playing football growing up, and my time at Southampton was a great part of my life. When I played against Bellingham, we must have been 14 or 15 years old,” added Lion-Cachet.

On choosing cricket over football, he said: “There was a time around COVID-19 when I had to decide, and cricket just came naturally to me. All my energy and drive over the years have been towards cricket, and it (work) is paying off.”\

Can he now spin it to win it?