Pete Steindl, the Scotland coach, has set his sights on automatic qualification for the 2015 World Cup after International Cricket Council officials announced a two-pronged qualification process, writes William Dick.

It means that the top two associate countries in a recently introduced 50-over league will progress to the tournament in Australia and New Zealand, while a further two places will be up for grabs at a qualifying tournament to be contested by a further eight teams.

The Scots already have taken the first steps by beating Netherlands in a one-day international double-header in July. They will meet a further six countries, starting with Namibia next month, in the new league which will produce the two automatic qualifiers.

Steindl, whose side go to Windhoek next week to prepare for a match in the Intercontinental Cup and five Twenty20s, as well as the two one-dayers, said: “The wins against Holland were a good start to the 50-over league but there is a lot of really tough cricket ahead. Our away fixtures are particularly challenging.”

Scotland’s remaining home fixtures are against Canada and Kenya.

ICC officials originally said that the 2015 World Cup would be restricted to just 10 teams but increased the number to 14 after an outcry among associate nations.