Born and raised in South Africa, ten Doeschate signed with Essex County Cricket Club in England for the 2003 English season, qualifying through his Dutch citizenship as a domestic player.

At the latter tournament, ten Doeschate scored 119 runs against England, the first ODI century by a Dutch player against a full member of the ICC.

[5] In 2003, Graham Gooch was on tour with Essex in South Africa and saw ten Doeschate play in a match against a Western Province second XI.

Gooch's friend Peter Kirsten, one of the Western Province coaches, mentioned ten Doeschate's EU citizenship that would make him eligible to play in England.

In 2008, ten Doeschate became one of the cornerstones of a strong Essex team and enjoyed success with them, winning the Friends Provident Trophy and Pro40 Division 2.

In January 2011, ten Doeschate was signed by Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League 2011 Auction, becoming the first Associate player to win an IPL contract.

In the opening match of the 2009 ICC World Twenty20, he contributed to the shock defeat of the host nation England, taking two wickets and scoring 22 not out.

[14] In September 2019, he was named in the Dutch squad for the 2019 ICC T20 World Cup Qualifier tournament in the United Arab Emirates.