NED qualify

Netherlands pull off stunning heist to book CWC23 spot

NED qualify

Bas de Leede became only the fourth player in men's ODI history to pick up a five-for and score a century in the same match.

Netherlands became part of yet another historic match as they knocked out Scotland and booked their tickets for the World Cup in India.

They chased down the target of 278 in just 42.5 overs.

Netherlands chase down Scotland to snatch World Cup berth | CWC23 Qualifier

Netherlands and Scotland played out a tense clash with a ticket to India on the line in the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2023

How the match played out:

Toss: The Dutch won the toss and elected to bowl to make the most of morning conditions and with Net Run Rate permutations at play, and both teams went in with the same playing XI.

Behind the scenes as Netherlands snatch spot at Cricket World Cup 2023 | CWC23 Qualifier

Emotional scenes after Netherlands chased down the Scotland target with enough balls to spare to book a ticket to India from the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2023

First Innings:

Netherlands decision to bowl first after winning the toss was vindicated when Logan van Beek removed the dangerous Matthew Cross in the first over for a two-ball duck.

Christopher McBride and Brandon McMullen looked to stabilise the innings but Bas de Leede broke the fledgling stand as both Scottish openers were sent back to the hut.

Bas de Leede takes maiden ODI five-for to boost Netherlands qualification hopes | CWC23 Qualifier

Bas de Leede claims his first five-wicket haul in ODIs for Netherlands at a crucial time against Scotland at the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2023

Less than four overs later De Leede dismissed George Munsey to leave Scotland on 64/3 in 15 overs.

However, Brandon McMullen who had had plenty of time to adjust to the situation took control of the match.

He bided his time, punishing the bad balls and eventually brought up his fifty. He accelerated after achieving the milestone and along with Richie Berrington put Scotland in a strong position.

The duo put on a 137-run stand for the fourth wicket – Scotland’s highest ODI partnership for any wicket against Netherlands and McMullen scored his second century of the tournament.

Brandon McMullen century puts one foot in World Cup for Scotland | CWC23 Qualifier

Brandon McMullen smashed a stunning century for Scotland against Netherlands at the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2023

Netherlands finally got a breakthrough with McMullen edging it to the keeper off Ryan Klein for 106 but not before pushing Scotland past the 200-run mark. Meanwhile Berrington too brought up a fine half-century. He was bowled by de Leede on 68 in the 45th over.

De Leede struck twice in the 49th over slowing down Scotland's progress. He completed a five-wicket haul, his first in ODIs.

Scotland set Netherlands a competitive target of 278.

Richie Berrington compiles fine fifty for Scotland in crunch clash | CWC23 Qualifier

Richie Berrington put together an important half-century for Scotland against Netherlands at the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2023

Second innings:

Netherlands started patiently in the chase of 278. There were a couple of early scares but the Dutch openers completed a half-century opening stand. H

owever, Scotland did well to keep things tight and were rewarded when Michael Leask trapped Max O'Dowd breaking the 65-run partnership. Leask then removed the other opener Vikramjit Singh in his next over to rattle Netherlands further.

Bas de Leede propels Netherlands into World Cup with match-winning knock | CWC23 Qualifier

Netherlands all-rounder Bas de Leede backs up his five-wicket haul with a stirring century against Scotland at the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2023

Batting hero McMullen gave his team more hope as he dismissed Wessly Barresi, reducing Netherlands to 93/3 in the 20th over. And Chris Greaves struck to send back Teja Nidamanuru at the half-way mark.

The tempo was slow at the start. And with Scott Edwards falling in the 31st over to Mark Watts, Scotland were very much in the game.

However, Bas de Leede stood strong at one end bringing up his fifty. As the qualification scenario loomed large, the pressure was on the Dutch to accelerate.

Zulfiqar provided the perfect support to de Leede as he began chipping at the runs initially in just ones and twos. When the equation reached 45 off 24 balls, de Leede decided to shift the momentum and it was Watt who had to bear the brunt of the Orange Onslaught.

Bas de Leede brings up a crucial century for Netherlands | CWC23 Qualifier

Bas de Leede reaches an important hundred for Netherlands against Scotland at the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2023

De Leede hit back-to-back sixes to bring up a fantastic century and third six in that over was hit by Zulfiqar to quickly ease the pressure considerably.

Two more sixes came the next over to almost guarantee the Dutch win and while de Leede was run-out in the next over, Logan van Beek came and hit the winning runs to the delight of his teammates.

Winning Moment: Netherlands qualify for Cricket World Cup 2023 | CWC23 Qualifier

Netherlands players were stunned after booking their spot at the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 with a late surge against Scotland

ScotlandICC Cricket World Cup Qualifiers, 2023NetherlandsScotland vs Netherlands - Super SixCricket World Cup