Date-stamped : 03 Apr97 - 22:22 Weather plays foul with fancied teams KUALA LUMPUR, April 2: Holland, World Cup contestants last time, are in danger of missing out on a berth at the 1999 event in England thanks to poor weather and a highly complex scoring system being used at the ICC Trophy. The Dutch saw their chances of making it into the semi-finals almost disappear, here, Wednesday, when their match against minnows Hong Kong was abandoned due to rain. It was Holland's second match in successive days which had been affected by the seasonal bad weather and it has left them languishing at the bottom of Group F alongside Hong Kong with both teams on one point. On Tuesday, the Dutch were caught on the wrong side of a controversial scoring system being used for the first time for games shortened by rain. Having scored 211 for eight in 50 overs against Ireland, the Dutch had taken three wickets for 91 runs in 23 overs. Rain stopped play at this stage and the Irish were declared winners on a higher comparative scoring rate system which not only takes into account the number of runs a team has scored but also the wickets they have lost. "This is not the way cricket should be played. For two days we have been affected by the weather," said an unhappy Dutch captain, Tim de Leede. "I can't believe that there were no reserve days in the schedule from the quarter-final round and also this scoring system they have is just ridiculous. "Everyone knew that this is a rainy country. I don't know why they played the tournament here. It is a lottery out there at the moment, not how good you are. "I wouldn't mind if we were beaten on the field. But if we go out this way, it is so sad. I'm a bad loser but I will accept defeat if we play badly ... but this is not cricket," added Leede. Against Hong Kong, Wednesday, the Dutch bowled the British territory out for 170 and then faced only five overs scoring 16 for no loss, before a thunderstorm washed out play. Holland now have a formidable task in front of them, having to beat Bangladesh, Friday, if they are to keep their hopes of a quarter-final berth. But even a win might not be enough if Ireland beat Hong Kong, for then the Irish and Bangladesh Q who have a superior run rate presently Q will advance through. Bangladesh and Ireland are currently top of the standings with three points apiece while Holland and Hong Kong, the rank outsiders who could sneak through, are level on one point each. The two games in the other quarter-final, Group E, were also abandoned due to rain. Kenya were 33 for four in nine overs against Denmark in a match which had been reduced to 36 overs, while Canada were 87 for four in 29.4 overs against Scotland. Kenya and Scotland top Group E with three points each while Denmark and Canada are on one each. Source: Dawn Contributed by The Management (help@cricinfo.com)