Sri Lanka grab automatic 2019 World Cup berth at Windies’ expense
Sri Lanka have secured an automatic berth at the 2019 Cricket World Cup at the expense of West Indies after the two-times champions lost to England in the opener of their one-day series on Tuesday.
West Indies, who have 78 points in the ODI team rankings, cannot now overtake Sri Lanka (86 points) ahead of the Sept. 30 cut-off for automatic qualification regardless of how they do in the remaining four games.
An unbeaten century from Jonny Bairstow helped England stroll to a seven-wicket victory over West Indies at Old Trafford.
Failure to grab an automatic spot is a significant comedown for Jason Holder’s team, who won the first two World Cups in 1975 and 1979. They will now have to finish in the top two at a qualifier next year if they are to progress to the 2019 tournament in England and Wales.
The 10-team qualifying event will see West Indies join Afghanistan, Zimbabwe and Ireland taking on the top four sides from the World Cricket League Championship and the top two sides from the World Cricket League Division 2.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) introduced the qualifying event after reducing the number of teams for the 2019 event to 10 from the 14 that contested the 2015 edition in Australia and New Zealand.
Sri Lanka, who lost a home ODI series to India 5-0 recently, join England, Australia, Bangladesh, India, New Zealand, Pakistan and South Africa as direct qualifiers for the May 30-July 15 World Cup.
Sri Lanka’s ODI captain Upul Tharanga was grateful for the support the team had received when results were not going their way.
“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,” he said in an ICC news release.
“ICC events have always brought out the magic in Sri Lanka cricket, and I look forward to proving that once again.”
(Reuters)
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Well, what is the use of getting an automatic chance at 2019 WC? Sri Lanka doesn’t deserve it. We have an inconsistant team. We have all rounders like Matthew who can’t ball, batsmen who can’t score (Matthew, Chandimal, Tharanga), bawllers who can’t take wickets, fielders with ‘butter fingers’. SL doesn’t deserve a place in WC 2019!!!
It is unfortunate that Sri Lankans such as you like to kick some one when they are down. A true patriot will support the team win or loose. It is true that our boys played like novices or even worse but they are still our national team. So lets be grateful for the chance we have received at the expense of the Windies and support our team in good times as well as bad times. Lets also hope that the cricket Board will not be politically motivated and choose the right players who truly deserve to be in the team. Don’t forget that it is the Sri Lankan cricket team that made SL world famous.
Good luck boys.
Dear Stanley Fedo, I trust you are referring to me. True patriots always talk about reality. It is not the chance they got, it is whether they are up to the job? Cricket Board is the same. When the head get rotten rest of the body parts get crumbled. You don’t change pillows to get rid of a head-ache (we have G. Labrooy now as chief selector). Please see the line up to UAE tour. Matthew already injured (will not play any test). We need a overhaul of SL cricket from School, club, coaching, fitness to administration. Any how I have to agree with you; let us send a David to fight with a Goliath! Pat in the back, more pirith nools, more signing of Cross on the chests. As a true patriot I hope our cricketers will perform miracles at 2019 WC.