Scotland lost to Australia at the 1999 World Cup

They will be based in St Kitts for the first round group phase when they will also meet South Africa and Holland.

"This is vindication for all the hard work that we have put in," said Scotland skipper Craig Wright.

Runners-up Ireland, who lost to the Scots by 47 runs in the Trophy final, will play hosts West Indies, Pakistan and Zimbabwe in Jamaica.

"It's a funny feeling. Playing the West Indies in the Caribbean is a fantastic incentive but we really wanted to win this for Irish cricket," stand-in captain Kyle McCallan commented.

"Scotland are a couple of years ahead of us in terms of a professional set-up but I would hate to put that forward as an excuse.

"Chasing 324 the pressure was always going to be on and I thought that Scotland bowled well and deserved to win."

Canada, Bermuda and the Dutch also qualified for the World Cup, which will be played in the Caribbean for the first time.

The Canadians will be in England's group in St Lucia, while Bermuda will make their World Cup debut in a group featuring previous winners India and Sri Lanka.

ICC president Ehsan Mani praised Trophy hosts Ireland for a tournament he described as a "tremendous success".

WORLD CUP GROUPS Group 1: Australia, South Africa, Scotland, Holland Group 2: Sri Lanka, India, Bangladesh, Bermuda Group 3: New Zealand, England, Kenya, Canada Group 4: Pakistan, West Indies, Zimbabwe, Ireland

He said: "I have been privileged to watch matches in both the north and the south of the island and the commitment and professionalism of the players, match officials and organisers has been a joy to behold.

"When the ICC Trophy was awarded to Ireland we were breaking new ground by agreeing to host the group stage and knock-out round in two distinct areas.

"I would be wrong if I said that we did not harbour initial reservations with this format, but I am pleased to say that these concerns have proven to be unfounded.

"All of Ireland should be proud of the united front that it has presented in delivering an outstanding cricket event."