ICC World Cup 2023 Qualifiers: West Indies at risk of lacking first ODI World Cup | Cricket Information – Instances of India

Zimbabwe and former champions Sri Lanka discover themselves in a good place to safe the final two qualifying berths for this yr’s ODI World Cup, whereas the West Indies, who’ve received the trophy twice, stare on the attainable embarrassment of lacking the event for the primary time.
Having triumphed in all 4 group matches, Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka enter the essential Tremendous Six stage of the qualifiers with 4 factors every, carrying over the rewards obtained from defeating the groups that additionally progressed from the preliminary spherical.
With their spectacular batting performances, together with a nationwide record-breaking rating of 408-6 in opposition to the USA, Zimbabwe can strategy the upcoming matches with confidence, anticipating the runs to maintain flowing because the stakes heighten from Thursday.
“We have found our momentum and we are looking forward to carrying it,” stated Sean Williams, who scored 174 in Monday’s 304-run rout of the USA.
Williams is clearly main the charts as the best run-scorer, amassing a formidable whole of 390 runs. He showcased his dominance with an unbeaten century in opposition to Nepal and adopted it up with a strong knock of 91 in opposition to the Netherlands.

Along with Williams, each Craig Ervine and Sikandar Raza achieved outstanding centuries. Raza’s off-spin abilities not solely contributed to his batting prowess but additionally led to eight wickets, including energy to the bowling assault, which is spearheaded by the left-arm quick bowler Richard Ngarava.

For his or her upcoming matches in opposition to Oman, Sri Lanka, and Scotland, Zimbabwe will probably be shifting their base from Harare to Bulawayo. Regardless of the change in venue, the house crew can rely on the unwavering assist of their followers, which is able to undoubtedly work of their favor.
“It’s a different venue, and everything about it is different but still having that crowd behind us is always like having a 12th man,” stated Williams.
The 1996 champions Sri Lanka had a comparatively clean journey by means of the group stage of the event. Nonetheless, their upcoming match on Friday in opposition to the Netherlands poses an fascinating problem, because the Dutch crew enters the sport with renewed confidence following their outstanding victory over the West Indies in a brilliant over.
Leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga has been a standout performer, impressively claiming a complete of 18 wickets. His distinctive achievement of three consecutive five-wicket hauls in ODIs places him within the esteemed firm of Pakistan’s legendary bowler, Waqar Younis.
“He’s a champion. Whenever I throw him the ball, he delivers for me,” stated Sri Lanka’s Dasun Shanaka.
Whereas the longer term seems to be vivid for Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka, the West Indies are in dire straits after successive defeats to the hosts and the Netherlands.
The as soon as mighty Windies, who clinched victory within the inaugural two World Cups held in 1975 and 1979, now discover themselves able the place they need to safe victories in opposition to Scotland, Oman, and Sri Lanka as a way to have a practical probability of qualifying.
Expressing his consciousness of the challenges forward, coach Daren Sammy, who beforehand led the West Indies to 2 T20 World Cup triumphs as captain, said, “I fully comprehend the path I must embark upon with this team.”
“Sometimes you’ve got to reach rock bottom to come back up. I understand the challenges ahead and I also understand that things will not change overnight.
“It is a true reflection of the place our cricket is for the time being. We have now lots of work to do.”

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The Netherlands and Scotland will both start on two points. The Dutch have not featured at the finals since 2011 while the Scots missed out four years ago after a controversial lbw decision.
“We’re adequate to compete in opposition to the very best groups on this planet; we’re simply getting higher,” said Logan van Beek, whose heroics in Monday’s super over stunned the West Indies.
“The extra we play the very best groups, the higher we get. And extra enjoyable we get, the extra gamers we get, and we should be on that stage.”
Rank outsiders Oman complete the Super Six line-up for an event which concludes with the final on July 9.
(With company inputs)