The Netherlands comfortably beat a youthful Scotland side by 58 runs in the first ODI of a three-match series at Titwood. Having won the toss, stand-in Scotland captain Abtaha Maqsood opted to bowl but the hosts struggled on a good pitch. Maqsood dismissed Sanya Khurana for 46 to get Scotland on the board.

However, opener Phebe Molkenboer amassed a superb 106 — her first ODI hundred — as the Dutch posted 270-4 in their 50 overs. Babette de Leede made 69 and Robine Rijke added 18 in an impressive batting effort. Without key players Kathryn and Sarah Bryce, Kirstie Gordon and Katherine Fraser, Scotland handed debuts to Charlotte Nevard and Rebecca Mc Crossan, but both failed with the bat.

Nevard was trapped lbw first ball by Caroline de Lange and Mc Crossan was bowled by Khurana for five. Hampshire wicketkeeper Pippa Sproul made 79 but Scotland fell 58 short of their target at 212-10. The next two fixtures are on Sunday and Tuesday at Stirling County Cricket Club.

The series was arranged at short notice as the Netherlands seek to regain their ODI ranking and avoid a substantial funding cut next year.