Super Six scenarios: How Scotland and Netherlands can qualify for the Cricket World Cup 2023

Scotland and Netherlands are set to play a virtual decider for the one spot at the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 still up for grabs.

The undefeated Sri Lanka have already confirmed their progress from the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup Qualifier, while Scotland and Netherlands will clash on July 6 to decide their World Cup fate.

Scotland simply need a victory to secure their progress, while the Netherlands have to win and be mindful of the margin that would boost their net run-rate (NRR) enough to overtake their rivals on the day.

The NRR equation will vary depending on how many runs are scored but, as an example, if Netherlands score 250 then Scotland can afford to lose by up to 31 runs. A win by 32 or more runs for Netherlands would lift their NRR above Scotland's in this scenario.

If Scotland bat first and score 250, they will stay ahead on NRR if Netherlands chase it down in around 44.1 overs (depending on how they get their winning runs). If Netherlands chase it down any quicker, then they will trump Scotland's run rate and take the second qualification spot.

The 1996 Cricket World Cup champions Sri Lanka booked their spot at the 2023 edition with an emphatic win over Zimbabwe, as they extended their unbeaten run at the Cricket World Cup Qualifier and moved to eight points on the Super Six standings.

Zimbabwe, who were well-placed to finish in the top two throughout much of the Cricket World Cup Qualifier, crashed out after back-to-back losses at the hands of Sri Lanka and Scotland.

Only the top two teams at the end of the Super Six stage will qualify for the Cricket World Cup 2023 in India.

West Indies will not be among those qualifiers, after the two-time Cricket World Cup champions carried zero points into the Super Six stage then crashed out with a crushing defeat to Scotland.

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Here is what each team needs to do to qualify for the Cricket World Cup:

**Super Six played:**4
Super Six won: 4 (Oman, Scotland, Netherlands, Zimbabwe)
**Super Six points:**8
Net run-rate: +1.817
Still to play: West Indies (7 July)

Sri Lanka have been in ominous form throughout the Cricket World Cup Qualifier, limiting each of their opponents so far to totals under 200 runs during their unbeaten run.

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Even the clash with the previously undefeated Zimbabwe proved to be a one-sided affair as Sri Lanka cruised to an easy nine-wicket triumph.

This win ensures that Sri Lanka will remain among the top two sides in the Super Six stage, and therefore qualify for the showpiece event in India.

Super Six played: 4
Super Six won: 3 (Oman, West Indies, Zimbabwe)
Super Six points: 6
Net run-rate: +0.296
Still to play: Netherlands (6 July)

Scotland gave their qualification hopes a huge boost with a commanding victory over the West Indies, while effectively knocking out the two-time Cricket World Cup champions at the same time.

They followed that up with a massive win over hosts Zimbabwe in their Super Six clash to take control of their chances ahead of a pivotal face-off with Netherlands.

Scotland will book their ticket to India with a triumph over Netherlands but can also afford a narrow loss to sneak in on net run-rate.

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A loss to the rampant Sri Lanka in the group stage might have proved costly for Scotland, but it was the Asian side's win over Zimbabwe that reignited their hopes.

That result put Scotland’s qualification hopes in their own hands, thanks to their superior net run rate, and they made the most of it with a win over Zimbabwe.

**Likelihood of qualification:**Very good

Super Six played: 5
Super Six won: 3 (Netherlands, West Indies, Oman)
Super Six points: 6
Net run-rate: -0.099
Still to play: N/A

Two games ago, Zimbabwe were seen as one of the favourites to finish in the top two of the Cricket World Cup Qualifier alongside Sri Lanka.

Two games later, in heartbreaking fashion, they have crashed out of the tournament after losses to Sri Lanka and Scotland.

The hosts kicked off the Super Six stage as the tournament pacesetters alongside Sri Lanka, with the teams sharing identical win-loss records until their high-stakes clash. However, a nine-wicket loss against against Sri Lanka not only ended their streak but also dented their net run-rate.

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Zimbabwe still had their fate in their own hands but Scotland bowlers brought their A-game to the do-or-die match as the hosts slumped to a 31-run loss.

This defeat means that Zimbabwe will be missing out on their second consecutive World Cup after their absences from the tournament in 2019.

**Likelihood of qualification:**None

**Super Six played:**4
Super Six won: 2 (West Indies, Oman)
Super Six points: 4
Net run-rate: -0.042
Still to play: Scotland (6 July)

Netherlands surged into the Super Six stage with a stirring Super Over victory over the West Indies, and also gave both Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka a scare with some brilliant batting.

Those honourable losses to the tournament standouts could still cost Netherlands dearly, as even a tight victory over Scotland in their remaining Super Six match might not lift them into a top-two spot.

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Netherlands now need to not only defeat Scotland but also do so by a significant margin to boost their net run-rate.

But the Netherlands have already shown at this Cricket World Cup Qualifier that it would be foolhardy to write them off too early.

**Likelihood of qualification:**Good

**Super Six played:**4
Super Six won: 1 (Oman)
**Super Six points:**2
Net run-rate:-0.091
Still to play: Sri Lanka (7 July)

The two-time Cricket World Cup champions will not be part of the showpiece event for the very first time after a devastating loss to Scotland ended their qualification hopes.

West Indies carried zero points into the Super Six stage after Netherlands snatched a thrilling victory from them in a Super Over during the group stage, while they also ran out of wickets in a competitive chase against Zimbabwe.

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The Caribbean outfit were able to save some face against Oman and can make another late statement against Sri Lanka, but will otherwise have to turn their focus to what went wrong and how to turn it around.

Likelihood of qualification:None

**Super Six played:**5
**Super Six won:**0
**Super Six points:**0
Net run-rate: -1.895
**Still to play:**N/A

Oman kicked off their tournament with a pair of rousing triumphs over Ireland and UAE, but arguably impressed even more when giving Zimbabwe a scare while chasing 332 in the Super Six opener.

The Asia nation can now bask in the aftermath of an encouraging campaign while contemplating how to progress further in the future.

**Likelihood of qualification:**None