The China Mail - Dutch eye shock semi-final place at Cricket World Cup

Inspired by star all-rounder Bas de Leede, the Dutch secured their place in India with some eye-catching results.

The most notable was beating West Indies in a super over after equalling a huge total of 374 at the qualifying tournament in Zimbabwe in June.

And Cook told AFP that his team were not going to the World Cup just to make up the numbers.

"We hold high hopes going into this World Cup that we can put in a couple of really big performances and those can result in wins. We'll be putting everything that we can in to get to those five or six wins to take us into the semi-finals," he said.

The Dutch open their campaign against Pakistan on October 6 and recently spent eight days at a "spin camp" in India to prepare for the conditions and the bowling they are likely to face.

They have a well-earned reputation as giant-killers at international tournaments, edging out South Africa at the T20 World Cup last November.

Max O'Dowd, the team's top ODI scorer this year, said the Netherlands have shown they can compete with the big guns and chase down big scores when needed.

"I mean if we go there just trying to get involved and enjoy a World Cup, then what's the point? We're going there to try and win every game and hopefully we can do that," O'Dowd told AFP.

- Dutch cricket 'unique' -

Both Cook and O'Dowd said the Netherlands had benefitted from recent fixtures against the top teams but were hungry for more.

It hasn't always gone to plan. England came to Amsterdam and smashed the record for the highest total in a 50-over game, scoring 498, powered by Jos Buttler's 162 off just 70 balls in June last year.

"If we can be that team that plays on that main stage more often, we can make strides at the main table for sure," said Cook.

The Netherlands has good infrastructure, good facilities and can host teams and supporters well, insisted the coach, urging more major nations to tour the country.

"Playing the best teams in the world is something that I think we've deserved through the cricket we've played, and we just want teams to come here," added O'Dowd.

The New Zealand-born O'Dowd admitted that Dutch cricket was "unique", especially at club level.

"One week you could be playing against Punjab on a mat and then three days later you're playing an international," he said.

"I think that's the unique thing about Dutch cricket and I think it actually makes us who we are, makes us play the cricket we play and it forces us to get in uncomfortable situations and it makes you develop fast."

The Netherlands have not qualified for the World Cup since 2011 and O'Dowd says they are under no illusions as to the challenge they face.

"Obviously it's going to be very tough. Some of the best teams in the world are there but we're one of those best teams ourselves," he said.

T.Luo--ThChM