A powerful all-round efficiency by Bas de Leede secured The Netherlands the ultimate spot within the Cricket World Cup after they beat Scotland by 4 wickets on Thursday. De Leede struck an excellent 123 after taking 5-52 within the Scottish innings. The Dutch be part of Sri Lanka in reaching the game’s quadrennial showpiece which is being hosted by India in October and November.

It will probably be their fifth look within the event however first since 2011. The Dutch had seemed down and out on a few events of their innings – at one level they had been 108-4 – however de Leede was unstoppable in chasing down Scotland’s 277/9.

His 123 included seven fours and 5 sixes — two in succession took him to his century — and his fifth-wicket partnership of 113 with Saqib Zulfiqar (33no) proved essential for the win.

“We had a look at where we wanted to be at the halfway point, and from there you’ve got to do it,” de Leede informed Sky Sports.

“It was 10 to 11 an over, so for us it was about going into T20 mode. We tried to take as many runs as possible in each over and just see where we would end up.

“It’s superb, I am unable to describe the sensation, and will probably be one massive occasion tonight.”

Scotland had set the Dutch a challenging total thanks largely to a 137-run partnership for the fourth wicket between South African-born pair Brandon McMullen and captain Richie Berrington.

McMullen made a sublime 106 and Berrington a punchy 64 – Tom Mackintosh chipped in with an crowd-pleasing unbeaten 38 at the end of the innings.