The two-time ODI World Cup champion and former world beater received a wake-up call after a seven-wicket loss to Scotland in the Super Six stage.
It was always going to be difficult for West Indies after suffering two body knocks in the group stage last week, but on Saturday at the Harare Sports Club in Zimbabwe, everything came crumbling down for the nation that was once heralded as a force to be reckoned with in cricket, regardless of the format. The winner of two ODI World Cup trophies and a former world beater received a reality check on Saturday when they were defeated by Scotland in the Super Six stage, dropping them out of contention to compete in India for the 2023 World Cup in October.
History was on their side after they presented a dreadful scorecard. Scotland’s attack was spot on with the new ball, sending West Indies four down in seven overs for 65 runs. Nicholas Pooran appeared to be limiting the fall of wickets with a decent 43-ball 21 before throwing away his wicket.
Jason Holder and Romario Shepherd then attempted a late comeback with a solid 77-run stand in which the former struck 45 off 79 and the latter added 36 off 43, but after the No.8 was dismissed, the remainder of the line-up crumbled in the blink of an eye. West Indies were bowled out for 181 runs after yet another poor batting performance.
They had never defended a score of 200 or fewer in ODIs in the previous five years, whereas Scotland had mastered the art of chasing in the format, winning 12 of their last 14 attempts.
Holder gave the West Indies the perfect start by dismissing opener Christopher McBride with the first ball of the innings, but a valiant 125-run stand between Matthew Cross and Brandon McMullen, who was also the pick of the bowlers with his 3/32, ensured Scotland were on the right track for one of their most significant ODI victories. Both scored half-centuries on their way to the century mark. While McMullen was removed in his attempt to complete the chase, Cross led the remainder of the attack with his unbeaten 74 off 107 as Scotland won in 43.3 overs.
West Indies’ World Cup hopes were already dangling after losses to Zimbabwe and the Netherlands, the latter in a dramatic Super Over fight in the highest-scoring tied ODI. Their only two wins in the group round came against Nepal and the United States, which helped them advance to the Super Six stage of the Qualifiers event, but they couldn’t carry the points from those two wins forward due to restrictions.
West Indies’ only chance was to get back to winning ways and have luck on their side because Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe continued to remain unbeaten even in the Super Six level. Unfortunately, they lost the chance that was within their power, trusting fate to help them reach the 2023 World Cup.
The 2023 edition will mark the first time ever that the men’s ODI World Cup will not feature the two-time champion West Indies, who fell to Oman in the Super Six stage. With six points apiece from three games, Sri Lanka and the Netherlands continue to hold the lead for qualifying for the World Cup in India. Scotland, who has four points through three games, threatens to make things interesting. With two points from three games, Netherlands is currently in fourth place.
