The West Indies cricket team, a powerhouse that once dominated the international cricket scene under the captaincy of Brain Lara, finds itself on the wrong side of history as former champions even failed to secure their spot in the World Cup 2023. Let’s dive into the perplexing journey that led to this shocking outcome.
ODI World Cup 2023: The Shocking Elimination of West Indies
The Road to Qualification and West Indies’ Downfall
The disappointment stems from their inability to secure a spot in the 2023 ODI World Cup. The road to this crushing defeat began when West Indies finished ninth in the ODI Super League, missing out on direct entry into the ten-team tournament.
The Qualification Process
To make matters worse, West Indies had to navigate the treacherous waters of the World Cup Qualifiers. They were grouped with Zimbabwe, the Netherlands, the United States, and Nepal in Group A. The Super Six stage was only accessible to the top three teams from each group, per the tournament’s rules. However, what set this competition apart was the carry-forward of points earned against other qualified teams from their respective groups.
Group Stage Struggles
West Indies kicked off their campaign with impressive victories against the USA and Nepal. However, when they played against Zimbabwe and the Netherlands, their chances decreased. They didn’t get any points, but they were still able to go into the Super Six. In contrast, Zimbabwe and the Netherlands each had four points going into the Super Six. In contrast, Sri Lanka, Scotland, and Oman all ended last in Group B with zero points each. Meanwhile, in Group B, Sri Lanka secured their place with four points, Scotland with two, and Oman with none.
West Indies’ Uphill Battle
With no points in their pocket, West Indies faced an uphill battle in the Super Six stage. Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka emerged as early victors, each securing six points. To have a chance of qualifying, West Indies needed to win all three of their remaining games against Scotland, Sri Lanka, and Oman. But when they played Scotland, they suffered a setback that crushed their ambitions, and the narrative took a fatal turn. Due to this defeat, West Indies could only earn a maximum of four points, which was insufficient to place in the top two and earn a World Cup trip to India.
A Continued Decline
This heartbreaking setback is part of a troubling trend for West Indies in the limited-overs format. Their route to the 2019 ODI World Cup in England was far from easy; they narrowly advanced in the World Cup Qualifiers, and in an ironic turn of events, they eliminated Scotland in a rain-affected encounter. The problems persisted at the Australia 2022 T20 World Cup when they were unable to get past the Super 12 round after winning just one game and losing to Scotland and Ireland.
In conclusion, the absence of West Indies in the 2023 ODI World Cup is a bitter pill to swallow for cricket enthusiasts. It marks the end of an era, leaving fans to ponder what went wrong for a team that once held the cricket world in its grasp.
FAQs
Q1: How many World Cups have West Indies won in the past?
A1: West Indies has won the first two World Cups in 1975 and 1979 and was the runner-up in 1983.
Q2: Why did West Indies have to play in the World Cup Qualifiers?
A2: Because West Indies placed ninth in the ODI Super League and so missed out on direct entrance to the 2023 ODI World Cup, they were forced to take part in the World Cup Qualifiers. Q3: How were the World Cup qualifiers structured?
A3: There were two groups in the World Cup Qualifiers, and the top three teams from each group carried over their group stage points to the Super Six stage.
