Sri Lanka qualify for ICC Cricket World Cup 2019

[MenInG]

https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/476792

Sri Lanka have qualified for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 after the Windies lost the first ODI against England at Old Trafford on Tuesday.

With 30 September 2017 set as the cut-off date for automatic qualification for the ICC’s pinnacle 50-over tournament, the Windies (78 points) now cannot move ahead of Sri Lanka (86 points) on the MRF Tyres ICC ODI Team Rankings irrespective of how their remaining matches against England pan out.

This means the 1996 world champions have become the eighth and last team to qualify directly, joining Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, New Zealand, Pakistan and South Africa.

A relieved Sri Lanka’s ODI captain Upul Tharanga said: “It’s no secret that we (Sri Lanka) 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.

“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' (win) - 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.”

The Windies will now progress to the 10-team ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2018, where they will be joined by the bottom three sides on the MRF Tyres ICC ODI 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.

The top two sides from the World Cup Qualifier will complete the 10-team line-up for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019, which will be staged in the United Kingdom from 30 May to 15 July.

 

[MenInG]

Don't think WI will have a problem qualifying in the Qualifiers!

 

[Syed1]

Won't have a problem qualifying but is very, very embarrassing for a two time world cup champion and reigning T20 champion to be going through qualifiers.

 

[Donal Cozzie]

Still cant believe a 10 team WC is going ahead.

Such a backwards step. Ireland, AFG; Zimbabwe, WI, Scotland and the Dutch more than deserve one shot every four years at a world event. four of em will miss out on the next two WC's. Mindblowing greed.

 

[ahmedzee]

Still cant believe a 10 team WC is going ahead.

Such a backwards step. Ireland, AFG; Zimbabwe, WI, Scotland and the Dutch more than deserve one shot every four years at a world event. four of em will miss out on the next two WC's. Mindblowing greed.

Completely agree. While other sports are going ahead, cricket is going backwards, specially after teams such as Afghanistan got test status recently. Absolute non-sense.

 

[Rana]

It may be too early to say this but the proposed format for the 2019 seems like we are in for a huge bore fest. Much rather prefer the two group system and the knockout's that follow

 

[MMHS]

It may be too early to say this but the proposed format for the 2019 seems like we are in for a huge bore fest. Much rather prefer the two group system and the knockout's that follow

Actually, this format was used in 1992 & every match had a meaning. Teams will need at least 10 points to make the SF shot, and NRR will come in to play big time. It would have been a bit dull had there been more teams, but still I think at least 12 teams should have been there.

 

[Shutdown Corner]

Still cant believe a 10 team WC is going ahead.

Such a backwards step. Ireland, AFG; Zimbabwe, WI, Scotland and the Dutch more than deserve one shot every four years at a world event. four of em will miss out on the next two WC's. Mindblowing greed.

12 is the ideal number.

But you can also look at it this way. The 13 team ODI league will be like a 3 year long "group stage" for the 2023 WC. That will bring a lot of money for all the teams and if you can't finish in the top 8, you still get a chance to qualify. So that is more than fair, IMO.

 

[CadPakFan]

Completely agree. While other sports are going ahead, cricket is going backwards, specially after teams such as Afghanistan got test status recently. Absolute non-sense.

Same I think the associates should always get a go at the world cup, I quite enjoy watching their matches, and they can cause some quite big upsets sometimes. Like when Kenya beat the WI in 1996, when Scotland nearly beat NZ last WC and when Canada nearly beat PAK in the 2011 WC

 

[Nil Dhumrojal]

10 teams wc is rubbish. It should be 16 countries wc.

 

[cricketerB94]

West Indies and Zimbabwe should qualify easily through qualifiers.

 

[Nil Dhumrojal]

West Indies and Zimbabwe should qualify easily through qualifiers.

Have doubts on zim. Afg can make it beating Zimbabwe.

 

[IndianWillow]

16 teams, two groups of eight teams each, four from each qualifying for a super eight where each team faces each other, then SF and F would have my dream format. Might be a bit too long, but gives fringe teams a shot and an exciting 'all play all' super 8.

 

[cricketerB94]

Have doubts on zim. Afg can make it beating Zimbabwe.

Afg is all about Rashid Khan. But Zim have already turned a corner and found some right players for right jobs.

 

[squarecut]

There were articles telling us that West Indies would qualify by winning their one ODI vs Ireland and winning the last four ODIs vs England. Easier said that done. It will be a major upset if they win even one of these matches against England.

 

[cricketerB94]

There were articles telling us that West Indies would qualify by winning their one ODI vs Ireland and winning the last four ODIs vs England. Easier said that done. It will be a major upset if they win even one of these matches against England.

WI are missing their star players badly. If they want to win anything in ODIs, their team should look like this: Gayle, Lewis, Hope, Walton, Mohammed, Powell, Holder, Narine, Nurse/Bishoo, Taylor, Gabriel