Ryan ten Doeschate's power-packed 119 off 110 balls drove the England seam attack to despair and sowed panic among fielders as The Netherlands amassed 292 for six in 50 overs.
However, Netherlands' inexperience showed in the end as England kept its nerve to win a thriller with eight balls and six wickets in hand.
The England chase was marshalled by captain Andrew Strauss (88) and Kevin Pietersen (39) who added 105 for the first wicket. Jonathan Trott, who strode to the wicket at the fall of Pietersen, continued his good form to make 62 off 65 deliveries.
Ian Bell also contributed a vital 33 off 40 deliveries before he fell with 52 needed for victory.
Paul Collingwood and Ravi Bopara displayed fine temperament to take England home. Both were unbeaten on 30.
Earlier, the Dutch captain Peter Borren opted for first strike in the day-night game to take advantage of batting resources; opener Wesley Baressi's 29 off 25 balls set the tone for the assault to follow as the Dutch improved upon the previous highest World Cup score against a Test-playing nation (230-6 vs. England at Peshawar in the 1996 World Cup).
Two appeals against umpiring decisions by Andrew Strauss, featuring Tim Bresnan and James Anderson, were negated to compound a day of misery for Borren's counterpart. Earlier, the England skipper faced a tricky situation at the start of the 43rd over; The Netherlands opted for the batting powerplay and with six wickets in hand, at 209-4, decided to go all-out.
Broad was pressed into the attack and his response to the crisis was a swinging yorker to dismiss de Grooth, cutting short a 64-run (60 balls) fifth-wicket stand. England's second review on a negated leg-before appeal off Anderson was unsuccessful.
The Dutch all-rounder, plying his trade in County cricket for Essex, got cracking with a fluent cover-drive to the ropes off Collingwood. He then scooped an inside-out six over mid-wicket to cross the half-century mark in 73 balls.
Tom de Grooth, inspired by his senior partner's belligerence, even pulled off outrageous shots — a reverse-sweep against the off-spinner and a scoop off Collingwood. England's bowling looked ragged at the 40-over mark; ten Doeschate in command and de Grooth in the mood for the kill at 188-4.
Dropped chance
Pietersen, taken off the attack after two overs, dropped a tough chance at fine leg, spilling an intended pull by Cooper off Bresnan. Collingwood struck just as the Dutch slipped into an aggressive mood, removing Cooper (47 runs off 73 balls).
The former got into an awkward situation, a mix-up at mid-on with Anderson, resulting in the ball dropping between the two.
England had more shocks in store, a review of umpire Asad Rauf's verdict to negate a caught behind appeal off Bresnan was unsuccessful.
Ten Doeschate and Cooper mixed caution with placements in an enterprising 50-run stand for the third wicket off 73 balls. Swann was treated with respect by the two batsmen; both comfortably stroking into gaps for swift singles and occasionally forcing shots over mid-wicket or late cuts to third-man.
Pietersen was treated roughly, seeing a full toss dispatched by ten Doeschate over long-on for the first six of the innings.
The Dutch were nicely poised at the half-way mark, 119-2 off 25 overs. Swann struck with his fourth ball, drawing opener Wesley Baressi forward for the wicket-keeper to get into his act behind. England turned to spin after 11 overs of seam bowling. The Dutch openers were quick to pounce on balls pitched short, but at no stage did the batsmen dominate.
Strauss opted for the bowling powerplay after 47 runs came off the first 10 overs; the next 10 fetching 43.
