World Cup Berth Jeopardised By Sluggish Windies
Caribbean side hit by hefty fine and points deduction in decisive ODI defeat to New Zealand
Rovman Powell, the fiery Jamaican, could be the man to help save West Indies cricket.
West Indies cricket seems firmly in the doldrums as far as the 50-over game is concerned. Nicholas Pooran’s side lost the ODI series 2-1 to New Zealand following their five-wicket defeat yesterday (21 August).
Despite a high-scoring affair at historic Kensington Oval in Barbados, when both teams notched over 300 runs a-piece, the Windies were dealt a bitter blow.
The two-time World Cup winners’ chances of direct qualification for the ICC 2023 World Cup in India have been badly hit.
Today it has been revealed that the Windies have been heavily fined and deducted World Cup Super League points deduction, as they maintained a slow over rate in the 3rd ODI.
Trinidadian Pooran’s rapid 91 from 55 deliveries stole the show to get the Windies moving. Bajan Kyle Mayer bagged a stylish 105 as the Caribbean side soared to 301-8 off their allotted 50 overs to keep the home fans vocal.
Yet in response the bowlers failed to maintain the expected number of overs, and their inability to take wickets again highlighted the hosts’ weakness.
New Zealand were cavalier at the crease to reach their target with 19 balls remaining, which secured the series despite losing the 1st ODI by five wickets. New Zealand had trounced the hosts in the 2nd ODI to set up a thrilling series decider, and both sides added to the excitement in the finale.
But the Windies will be licking their wounds after the ICC penalised them. The Windies were fined 40 per cent of their match fees and deducted two points from their Super League tally. This was because they were adjudged to have run two overs short of the target by the on-field umpires.
With New Zealand picking up the maximum 10 points for victory, and Pakistan achieving the same for yesterday’s triumph over the Netherlands, things look grim for the Windies who lie seventh in the Super League standings.
Pooran’s players have posted only nine wins from their maximum 24 games. Now they shall have to rely on other results going in their favour if they are to stave off having to enter next year’s qualifiers.
If the West Indies finish outside the top eight in the Super League, then they will be forced into competing at the qualifier stages in Zimbabwe next year. The qualifiers comprise those remaining teams outside the Super League top eight as well as five associate teams.
With Pooran’s position under scrutiny and Powell having excelled as the stand-in skipper, then the Jamaican may be given the nod when the Windies travel down under for a pair of T20I against Australia in October.
WI v NZ SHORT-BALL SERIES
NZ won ODI series 2-1
1st ODI | West Indies won by 5 wickets
New Zealand 190 all out (45.2 overs)
West Indies 193-5 (39 overs)
2nd ODI | New Zealand won by 50 runs (DLS Method)
New Zealand 212 all out (48.2 overs)
West Indies 161 all out (35.3 overs)
3rd ODI | New Zealand won by 5 wickets
New Zealand 307-5 all out (47.1 overs)
West Indies 301-8 (50 overs)
NZ won T20I series 2-1
1st T20I | New Zealand won by 13 runs
New Zealand 185-5 (20 overs)
West Indies 172-7 (20 overs)
2nd T20I | New Zealand won by 90 runs
New Zealand 215-5 (20 overs)
West Indies 125-9 (20 overs)
3rd T20I | West Indies won by 8 wickets
New Zealand 145-7 (20 overs)
West Indies 150-2 (19 overs)
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