Windies’ World Cup Hopes are Put on Hold
Super Over fireworks from unfancied Netherlands could destroy Caribbean side’s dream
The West Indies are in danger of not qualifying for the World Cup for the first time, having suffered damaging defeats to Zimbabwe and the Netherlands in their ICC 2023 World Cup qualifying group games.
Their hopes of reaching the Cricket World Cup lie in the balance after their insipid surrender during a thrilling one-sided Super Over to the Netherlands today in Harare.
The West Indies’ disappointing displays throughout their four group games in Zimbabwe drew to a close, with the Dutch destroying them to register a massive 22-run one-over eliminator triumph.
Both sides scored freely on the Takashinga Sports Club pitch, perfect for batsmen, to each amass 374 runs and finish tied.
Johnson Charles (54) and Jamaica’s Brandon King (76) laid down the foundation for a high score, with an explosive opening wicket partnership of 101 off 17.2 overs.
But it was Nicholas Pooran’s unbeaten 104 that was the highlight of the Caribbean side’s innings. His fourth-wicket stand of 108 with skipper and wicketkeeper Shai Hope in just under 13 overs set the mood.
The Windies brilliantly added 118 in the last ten overs, with Pooran bagging his second century of the qualifiers to help chalk up a massive total of 374-6.
With the unfancied Netherlands expected to roll over against such illustrious opponents, the Windies were severely caught off-guard. Shoddy fielding, which allowed so many additional runs to be scored, cost the Caribbean outfit dearly.
Netherlands soon sensed victory from the bad body language of their opponents. They regularly found the boundary with a sparkling fifth-wicket stand of 143 off 90 deliveries from Teja Nidamanuru (111) and captain Scott Edwards (67).
When Logan van Beek came to the crease the fielders were run ragged. Yet a swift breakthrough of three wickets left the result hanging in the balance, when the Netherlands required 30 runs for victory from the final two overs.
A tense finale saw the scores tied with one ball remaining from Alzarri Joseph, but Van Beek was caught by Jason Holder at mid-on. There was a delay from the umpires that the wicket stood, and only after a third umpire checked that Joseph had not overstepped was Van Beek dismissed for a rapid 28 from 14 balls.
The Super Over elimination was utilised. Holder’s rare wayward bowling resulted in Van Beek bagging an unbelievable 30 runs, three sixes and three fours, to set the Windies a stiff target.
In response the Caribbean side fell apart with Van Beek taking the wickets of Charles and Romario Shepherd to leave the Windies in tatters at 8-2 off five balls.
The Windies had made hard work in overcoming the United States, were back to their best to soar past Nepal but slumped to a 35-run loss to Zimbabwe before their shock defeat to the Netherlands.
This result means that the Windies will carry no points into the Super Sixes stage. Even if they pull off three wins against Oman, Scotland and Sri Lanka (who qualified from the other group), this may not be enough to secure a spot at October’s World Cup.
The Windies must win all of their Super Six games while relying on Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe not to win more than one match, otherwise they could miss the World Cup for the first time ever.
WINDIES 2023 WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS
26 June | Netherlands won by 22 runs in the Super Over
WI 374-6 (50 overs) & 8-2 (0.5)
Netherlands 374-9 (50) & 30-0 (1)
24 June | Zimbabwe won by 35 runs
Zimbabwe 268 all out (49.5)
WI 233 all out (44.4)
22 June | WI won by 101 runs
WI 339-7 (50)
Nepal 238 all out (49.4)
18 June | WI won by 39 runs
WI 297 all out (49.3)
USA 258-7 (50)
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