Cricket: Lesser-known nations begin their quest for World Cup qualifying

Former England batsman Paul Collingwood has helped to prepare Scotland. Photo / Thinkstock

The Netherlands and Kenya will start favourites to advance when the cricket World Cup qualifying tournament starts in New Zealand today.

They are ranked 12th and 13th respectively on the International Cricket Council ODI rankings, and the top two teams will progress to the World Cup proper next February.

Ten teams are in the qualifying event and today the Netherlands play Uganda in Mt Maunganui, Kenya face Papua New Guinea in New Plymouth, the United Arab Emirates play Nepal at Rangiora and Scotland meet Hong Kong in Queenstown. Namibia and Canada start their campaigns on Wednesday.

Former England batsman Paul Collingwood has helped to prepare Scotland.

"The team is ready and excited," Collingwood said. "I don't think the preparation could have been any better and we've got confidence from the three wins [in practice games]."

Former Pakistan seamer Aaqib Javed, a member of his country's 1992 World Cup-winning team, is overseeing the UAE side and admitted the green, seaming pitches may cause problems for his team.

"We will be playing in conditions which are not familiar to any of our players," Aaqib said.

"We have a good batting unit but it has struggled on green, seaming tracks."

The final will be held at Lincoln, Canterbury, on February 1.