Scotland will be the European qualifier for the inaugural women’s Under-19 World Cup next year after sweeping the Netherlands in a three match T20 series this week in Utrecht.

The series started on Tuesday with Scotland batting first and scoring 135-6 from their 20 overs, Molly Barbour-Smith top scoring with 42 from 29 balls. Excellent bowling then ensured that the hosts were bowled out for 78, losing by 57 runs. Olivia Bell was the pick of the bowlers with 3-10.

Scotland secured their qualification in yesterday’s second game. Barbour-Smith was in the wickets this time, taking 3-10 as the home team were restricted to 94-7 from their 20 overs. Alisa Lister top scored with 44 in the Scotland run chase as they completed a nine wicket win in 8.1 overs.

With qualification secured, the shackles were well and truly off the Scotland openers today. Alisa Lister and Darcey Carter put on 204 before Lister was out for 111 from 58 balls, whilst Carter finished the innings unbeaten on 103 from 55 balls in Scotland’s total of 223-2. Nayma Skeikh took three wickets for just seven runs as the Dutch scored 100-7 in reply, losing by 123 runs.

The final regional qualifier will be next month in Botswana where the hosts, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Tanzania and Uganda will battle it out for the final spot.