An outstanding century by opener Miranda Veringmeier helped the Netherlands to a five-wicket victory against Scotland in their ECB Royal London One-Day Cup encounter at Garon Park in Southend on Sunday, setting the stage for their best-of-three European qualifying series later this week.

Veringmeier shared a 120-run opening stand with Babette de Leede as the Dutch women set out on their chase after Scotland’s solid total of 233 for nine, in which Olivia Rae top-scored with 75 and there were valuable contributions from Kari Carswell (47) and Kathryn Bryce (48).

The Scots were well placed at 187 for two, but medium-pacer Lisa Klokgieters struck back for the Netherlands and claimed four wickets for 54, including both Rae and Carswell, and with economical support from Marloes Braat, back in the Dutch side and taking two for 29 in her ten overs, the Dutch women fought back well.

Then Veringemeier and De Leede made sure their reply got off to a great start, the former’s century coming from just 103 deliveries with seven fours and one six.

There was a slight stumble as the side went from 191 for two to 225 for five, but Sterre Kalis held firm with an unbeaten 42-ball 36, and in a tense finish she and Braat saw their side home with three balls to spare.

The first of the three-match World Cup qualifying series will be played at the same venue on Tuesday, with the remaining matches scheduled for Wednesday and Friday. Thursday is a reserve day.