Champions of the first two editions, West Indies fail to qualify for the World Cup

Though the West Indies have two more games in the Super Six, they can only reach a maximum of four points if they win both. However, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe already have six points each. Scotland, after their famous win, have four points and will now fancy their chances of making the final to be played on July 9. The top two teams advance to the World Cup as Qualifier 1 and Qualifier 2.

Heartbreak for West Indies in Harare as Scotland beat them for the first time in an ODI and send them out of the race for #CWC23 👀#SCOvWI report 👇

— ICC (@ICC) July 1, 2023

This is not the first time the West Indies have missed out on a major tournament. In 2017, they failed to qualify for the Champions Trophy and they also failed to qualify for the Super 12s of the last year’s T20 World Cup.

Ironically, West Indies had a great start when they came on to bowl. Jason Holder got rid of opener Christopher McBride in the very first ball. But they did drop a crucial chance, that of McMullen when he was on 21. That proved to be costly. For Scotland, Matthew Cross with 74 not out from 107 balls, anchored the chase.

In contrast, the West Indies, who had IPL stars in their ranks including Nicholas Pooran, struggled to get going.

Alzarri Joseph, Romario Shepherd, Akeal Hossein and Kyle Mayers have all featured in the last edition of the IPL but when it mattered in the Qualifiers, they let the team down collectively.

Pooran scored 21 off 43 as West Indies slumped to 81 for 6 before a 77-run partnership between Holder and Romario Shepherd revived the innings. Shepherd and Holder fell in quick succession and with it went their hopes of posting a 200-plus total.

“We need to look at all areas. We have let ourselves down at this tournament. We have to go one way from here and that is up,” captain Shai Hope said at the post-match presentation. “I don’t think we gave that 100% effort every single time. We only did it in patches.”

Scotland trump the West Indies and the two-time champions are out of contention to reach #CWC23 😱#SCOvWI: https://t.co/D0FGi8lXDh pic.twitter.com/zQ0LVGYKCE

— ICC (@ICC) July 1, 2023

Hope also felt the build up for the tournament was not ideal. The team had travelled to the United Arab Emirates and played day and night games but the games in the Qualifier started at 9am local time.

“The preparation needs to be better. We can’t expect to be an elite team without that backing from (the cricket board) at home,” Hope said.

West Indies had only two wins in five games – against Nepal and USA.

“To be honest, there is not one thing I can put my finger on. We let ourselves down in the entire tournament,” Hope added.

Incidentally, West Indies coach Darren Sammy was captain when they last won a global title in 2016.

Not qualifying for the 50-over World Cup for the first time is another low for the once mighty team and for the overall health of global cricket.