Hosts Sri Lanka has failed to qualify directly for the 2019 World Cup after failing to win any of the matches in the ongoing limited overs series against India. They had to win at least two games, but with India already taking a 4-0 lead, it now depends on the performance of the Windies to decide whether Sri Lanka can clinch the World Cup birth directly or not.
Even if the hosts win the final match against India, they will reach 88 points which won’t be enough to ensure their automatic qualification. Windies, on the other hand, can also reach 88 points an will edge Sri Lanka on decimal points, if win all their next six ODI’s – one against Ireland and all five against England from September 19 to 29. It will undoubtedly be a pretty tough task but not an impossible one especially after an inspiring performance by the Windies in the 2nd Test of the series.
In case Sri Lanka suffers a 5-0 whitewash, Windies will be able to overtake them by beating Ireland and winning the series against England by a 4-1 margin. Teams who will fail to qualify directly for the mega event in 2019 will get another shot at qualifying via a qualification tournament.
The ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2018 will consist of four bottom teams on ICC ODI Team Rankings. The top four teams from the ICC World Cricket League Championship and the top two sides from the ICC World Cricket League.
Meanwhile, the top two teams from the World Cup Qualifier will complete the ten team line up for the original event scheduled held in England and Wales.
Coming back to Sri Lanka, the Islanders suffered yet another resounding defeat at the hands of India and lost by 168 runs which are their biggest loss by margin of runs in their home conditions.