West Indies Crash Out of World Cup Race After Shocking Defeat to Scotland in Qualifier

Harare: The two-time cricket World Cup champions West Indies suffered a major setback in their bid to qualify for the upcoming 2023 50-over World Cup in India. In a surprising turn of events, Scotland emerged victorious by seven wickets in a Super Six match, effectively ending the West Indies’ chances of securing a spot among the top 10 teams in the ODI rankings.

Scotland trump the West Indies and the two-time champions are out of contention to reach #CWC23 😱#SCOvWI: https://t.co/gPzox918Py pic.twitter.com/BWoDayxLLf

— ICC Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) July 1, 2023

Displaying a disappointing batting performance, the West Indies managed to score just 181 runs before being bowled out in 43.5 overs. Scotland chased down the target with ease, securing victory with 6.3 overs to spare. Matt Cross (74 not out off 107 balls) and Brendon McMullen (69 off 106 balls) played pivotal roles in Scotland’s triumph, building a crucial 125-run partnership for the second wicket.

Earlier in the tournament, the West Indies faced a setback when they lost a crucial Group A match to the Netherlands in a Super Over eliminator. Subsequently, they suffered another defeat against Zimbabwe. With zero points and an inferior net run rate compared to other teams, the West Indies entered the Super Six round in a precarious position, heavily reliant on the outcomes of other matches.

While the West Indies had initially secured four points by defeating the USA (by 35 runs) and Nepal (by 101 runs), their hopes quickly unravelled due to inconsistent performances across all aspects of the game. Additionally, losses to Zimbabwe and the Netherlands, both of whom advanced to the Super Six from Group A, left the West Indies without any further points.

This unprecedented development marks the first time in the tournament’s 48-year history that the West Indies will not be among the top 10 teams competing in the prestigious 50-over World Cup. The defeat against Scotland has dealt a significant blow to their cricketing legacy and aspirations for the upcoming tournament in India.