Dutch coach Ryan Cook is confident his team can defy all odds to make it to the World Cup semi-finals and fully earn their place at cricket's top table.

The Dutch begin their campaign against Pakistan on October 6 and recently spent eight days in a 'spin camp' in India to prepare for the conditions and bowling they are likely to face.

Inspired by star all-rounder Bas de Leede, the Dutch secured their place in India with some eye-catching results.

Most notably, he beat West Indies in a Super Over after posting a lofty total of 374 in the qualifying tournament in Zimbabwe in June. And Cook says his team didn't go to the World Cup just to crunch the numbers.

“We have high hopes going into this World Cup that we can put in some really big performances that can lead to wins. “We will do everything we can to get the five or six wins that will take us to the semi-finals,” he said.

The Dutch begin their campaign against Pakistan on October 6 and recently spent eight days in a 'spin camp' in India to prepare for the conditions and bowling they are likely to face.

They have earned a well-deserved reputation as giant-killers in international tournaments, ousting South Africa in the T20 World Cup last November.

Max O'Dowd, the team's top ODI scorer this year, said the Netherlands showed they can hang with the big boys and score big when needed.

“I mean, if we go there and just try to engage and enjoy a World Cup, what's the point? We're going there to try and win every game and hopefully we can do that," O'Dowd told AFP.

Dutch cricket “Unique”

Both Cook and O'Dowd said the Netherlands had benefited from recent games against top teams but were hungry for more.

Things didn't always go according to plan. England came to Amsterdam breaking the record for the highest total in a 50-over game with 498, powered by Jos Buttler's 162 from just 70 balls in June last year.

“If we can be the team that plays on the main stage more often, we can certainly make progress at the main table,” Cook said.

New Zealand-born O'Dowd admitted Dutch cricket was "unique", particularly at club level.

“One week you could be playing on a mat against Punjab and three days later you’re playing an international,” he said.

“I think that's what's unique about Dutch cricket and I think it actually makes us who we are, makes us play the cricket we play and it forces us to get into uncomfortable situations and it provides for our rapid development.”

The Netherlands have not qualified for the World Cup since 2011 and O'Dowd says they are under no illusions about the challenge they face.

“Of course it will be very hard. Some of the best teams in the world are there, but we are one of those best teams ourselves,” he said.