Netherlands and Scotland aim high in World Cup Qualifier

Feb.20 (CRICKETNMORE) - The Netherlands and Scotland will be aiming to carry their form from the ICC World Cricket League Championship and upset some apple-carts in Zimbabwe as they aim to qualify for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019.

The teams qualified by finishing in the top two at the World Cricket League Championship, which is played on a double-league format among eight teams, the Netherlands topping the table with 22 points and Scotland finishing at 19 points.

Both sides have been preparing in Pretoria, South Africa, as they adjust to the warmer conditions from the winter back home. They are full of enthusiasm as they approach their different sets of challenges - the Netherlands having to contend with Ireland, PNG, the United Arab Emirates and the Windies in Group A and Scotland having to deal with Afghanistan, Hong Kong, Nepal and Zimbabwe in Group B. 

The Netherlands coach Ryan Campbell says his team is approaching the tournament with confidence and that the players are not bothered about the bigger tags of some of the other teams.

“The boys worked really hard to secure the top spot in that tournament (World Cricket League Championship). We are now here to go further than that, we need to be a top-10 team, we want to prove that and the process starts in Zimbabwe.

“Everyone is going to say that their first aim is to reach the Super Six. But we are aiming for one of the two top spots, our aim is to be in the World Cup and we won’t be satisfied with anything less,” said the Aussie coach, who felt his seam attack and good batting line-up could help win matches in the 10-team tournament.

“With four full members in the tournament, it is a tough ask but a fantastic opportunity. Everyone would be naming the Windies, Ireland, Afghanistan and Zimbabwe and not giving any chance to others, so we only have everything to gain,” he added.

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