Sri Lanka Secures 2019 World Cup Spot after Windies Defeat against England

Dec 31, 2018 at 1:59 PM

facebook iconlinkedin iconmail icontwitter iconWhatsApp iconTelegram icon
Sri Lanka Secures 2019 World Cup Spot after Windies Defeat against England

Ben Stokes hitting Ashley Nurse for a six to seal the first One-Day International against the Windies on Tuesday (September 19) made Sri Lanka the eighth and last team to qualify automatically for the 2019 World Cup.

The cut-off date to seal an automatic World Cup date was September 30, but with 78 points in their kitty, Windies cannot topple Sri Lanka who has 86 points even if they win all the four ODIs that will be played before the cut-off date. Currently, ranked ninth in the ODIs, Jason Holder-led side needed to win the ongoing five-match series by either 4-0 or 5-0 to leapfrog Sri Lanka, but their fate got sealed after only one game with Jonny Bairstow’s century inflicted a seven-wicket defeat on them.

Windies, the winner of the first two World Cups, will now play in the 10-team qualifier next year to make it to the main event. The Caribbean outfit will compete against the bottom three sides in the ICC team rankings – Afghanistan, Zimbabwe and Ireland – as well as the top four sides from the ICC World Cricket League Championship and the top two sides from the ICC World Cricket League Division 2 for the World Cup spot. The top two teams will make it to the tournament in England.

“You always know there’s the potential of that [not qualifying direct], we knew it was going to be a tough ask,” said Toby Radford, West Indies’ batting coach. “But we are very positive as a group and are trying to develop in all formats. If it means the qualifiers next year, it means the qualifiers next year, and we’ll build our way back up.”

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka skipper Upul Tharanga was delighted to secure a direct spot for the showpiece event of the game. The Islanders had the opportunity to seal their fate during the five-match series against India when they needed to win two games to ensure an automatic qualification, but they lost all the games.

“It’s no secret that we have been going through a tough time, but I want to say a big, big thank you to our fans who’ve kept faith with us when things looked bleak,” Tharanga said. “ICC events have always brought out the magic in Sri Lanka cricket, and I look forward to proving that once again.

“We have a clear plan toward the World Cup, and we will work hard at achieving each step. As we say in the dressing room, – Little ‘w’s [wins] add up to make the big ‘W’ – so that’s what we’ll be focusing on and I know you will see Sri Lanka’s special brand of cricket out there once again soon,” he added.

Related Article
Sri Lanka Cricket Reveal The Amount They Would Receive For Being The Hosts Of Asia Cup 2022
Sri Lanka Cricket Reveal The Amount They Would Receive For Being The Hosts Of Asia Cup 2022

Aug 4, 2022, 10:58 AM


Wanindu Hasaranga And Dushmantha Chameera Won’t Play In IPL 2021 Playoffs If RCB Qualifies
Wanindu Hasaranga And Dushmantha Chameera Won’t Play In IPL 2021 Playoffs If RCB Qualifies

Aug 29, 2021, 5:47 PM


Sandun Weerakkodi Tests COVID-19 Positive
Sandun Weerakkodi Tests COVID-19 Positive

Jul 11, 2021, 10:42 AM


Sri Lanka Players Shifted From Hotel Taj To Cinnamon After 2nd Staff Tests Positive For Covid-19
Sri Lanka Players Shifted From Hotel Taj To Cinnamon After 2nd Staff Tests Positive For Covid-19

Jul 10, 2021, 6:45 PM


India’s Limited-Overs Series Against Sri Lanka Rescheduled, To Begin On July 18
India’s Limited-Overs Series Against Sri Lanka Rescheduled, To Begin On July 18

Jul 10, 2021, 6:00 PM


Arjuna Ranatunga Made An Unnecessary Statement To Remain In Limelight: Danish Kaneria
Arjuna Ranatunga Made An Unnecessary Statement To Remain In Limelight: Danish Kaneria

Jul 8, 2021, 7:20 PM


Desktop Banner
Mobile Banner