Sad, but true. The West Indies will have to qualify for the 2019 Cricket World Cup, an indignity for a team that once ruled the limited-overs and Test game.
Following their seven-wicket loss on September 19 to England at Manchester in the first of five One-Day Internationals (ODI), West Indies were thrust into the qualifiers round next year.
With the Windies’ loss, Sri Lanka earned direct qualification to the World Cup.
The West Indies won the World Cup in 1975 and 1979; they were runners-up in 1983. At the time, their battery of fast-bowlers and imposing batting line-up saw them dominate cricket for 20 years.
Failed to qualify for Champions Trophy
However, West Indies also failed to qualify for the Champions Trophy earlier this year. Ironically, Bangladesh, the team that replaced them in the event, made it to the semi-finals.
Another irony? Bangladesh’s bowling coach is Courtney Walsh, the former West Indies captain and fast-bowling great.
Gayle and Samuels return
Boosted by the return of big-hitting opening batsman Chris Gayle and middle-order batsman Marlon Samuels, the West Indies won the lone T20 match against England two days earlier. But though Gayle top-scored with 37 in the ODI, Samuels did not factor in their paltry score of 204.
“Significant work must be done”
In the post-match press conference, West Indies captain Jason Holder acknowledged that significant work must be done if they are to salvage a World Cup spot. “There’s definitely work to be done. We’ve just got to focus on this series first,” he said.
Gayle and Samuels returned to the fold after sorting out differences with Cricket West Indies. But other key players including Darren Sammy, Kieron Pollard and Darren and Dwayne Bravo are still out of contention for selection.
Qualifiers in March 2018
To qualify for the World Cup, West Indies must participate in the ICC Cricket World Cup qualifiers scheduled for March next year, possibly in Zimbabwe. They will play against improving teams from Afghanistan, Zimbabwe, and Ireland. Afghanistan and Ireland are not Test teams, but Ireland has played in the World Cup, beating England and Zimbabwe.
Also in the ‘qualies’ will be the top four sides from the ICC World Cricket League Championship and top two sides from ICC World Cricket League Division 2. It will be a round-robin format followed by the semi-finals. The finalists advance to the World Cup.
Afghanistan has done well in recent years. They defeated Zimbabwe twice in the previous series. They also did well against the West Indies in the Caribbean.
Zimbabwe, after a rough period, is also improving. They defeated Sri Lanka 3-2 in an ODI series away and recently welcomed back former captain and star batsman Brendan Taylor after playing two seasons with Nottinghamshire in the English County Championship.
