CWC23: West Indies, Netherlands and Zimbabwe qualify for Super Six stage

Three teams are locked in for the Super Six stage at the Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2023 with more to come in Group B and crucial carry-over points still on the line.

In Group A, West Indies, Netherlands and Zimbabwe have qualified for the Super Six stage, though the aforementioned face each other on 26 June to secure critical points to carry into the next phase.

In Group B, Sri Lanka and Scotland each have one foot in the Super Six stage after undefeated starts to their ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2023 campaigns.

But these pacesetters each have critical matches to come that could prove decisive when the Cricket World Cup Qualifier progresses into the Super Six stage.

West Indies and Zimbabwe have both qualified from Group A, but the latter’s win in the clash on June 24 gives them two crucial points that they carry forward into the Super Six stage.

Sri Lanka and Scotland face a similar prospect when they meet on the last day of group play on June 27, though both teams have another match to navigate before then.

This clash is particularly important as points earned against other teams that also qualify for the Super Six are included in that stage of the Cricket World Cup Qualifier.

The net run rate from matches against other teams to progress from the group are also carried over to the Super Six stage.

The top-two teams in the standings at the end of the Super Six stage will book their place in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in India later this year.

There is much more to play out in Group B, with Oman shaking up the standings with their opening match triumph over Ireland then backing it up against the UAE.

Oman still have one match to come against Scotland where a victory will ensure their progress, while winless Ireland now need to win both their remaining matches against Sri Lanka and the UAE and hope their rivals in blue do them a favour.

USA, Nepal and UAE are already out of contention for a Super Six spot but will be out to make an impact on the final standings in their groups.

Group A

1: Zimbabwe

Played: 3
Wins: 3 (Nepal, Netherlands, West Indies)
Net run-rate: +0.917
Still to play: USA (June 26)

The hosts have made a stirring start in front of home fans and with another victory over the West Indies they are now in line to carry the maximum four points into the Super Six stage. 

Zimbabwe can now look to fine-tune against the USA where the result carries less significance. 

2: Netherlands 

Played: 3
Wins: 2 (USA, Nepal)
Net run-rate: +0.835
Still to play: West Indies (June 26)

Netherlands kickstarted their campaign when cruising to victory over the USA and backed it up against Nepal on Saturday to make it through to the Super Six stage even before their encounter against West Indies.

The side were defeated 3-0 in their series against the West Indies during the Super League cycle, though a win here would turn their opponent’s World Cup bid upside down, not to mention giving theirs a serious boost.

3: West Indies

Played: 3
Wins: 2 (USA, Nepal)
Net run-rate: +0.700
Still to play: Netherlands (June 26)

The two-time Cricket World Cup champions have impressed with a pair of commanding victories but the loss to Zimbabwe now means that they can only carry a maximum of only two points into the Super Six stage.

A win for Netherlands over Nepal in Group A had already ensured that the Men in Maroon are through to the next stage.

4: Nepal

Played: 4
Wins: 1 (USA)
Net run-rate: -1.171
Still to play: -

Nepal were soundly beaten by Zimbabwe and the West Indies but their dominant display against the USA breathed life into their campaign. 

However, the emerging Asian nation failed to emulate their heroic run in the CWC League 2 and were sent packing from the tournament after the loss against Netherlands.

5: USA

Played: 3
Wins: 0
Net run-rate: -0.789
Still to play: Zimbabwe (June 26)

The USA have already been eliminated and can now focus on finishing the tournament on a high with a victory over hosts Zimbabwe. 

Group B

1: Sri Lanka

Played: 2
Wins: 2 (UAE, Oman)
Net run-rate: +4.220
Still to play: Ireland (June 25), Scotland (June 27)

Sri Lanka have made a stunning start to the Cricket World Cup Qualifier with back-to-back victories by 175 runs and 10 wickets, but now need to maintain the momentum in clashes with possible Super Six qualifiers.

The match with Scotland looms as particularly important with both teams looking set to progress to the Super Six stage.

2: Scotland

Played: 2
Wins: 2 (Ireland, UAE)
Net run-rate: +1.140
Still to play: Oman (June 25), Sri Lanka (June 27)

A last-ball victory over Ireland has helped put Scotland in a commanding position in the group where they need one win from two remaining matches to ensure their progress.

The clash with Sri Lanka on the last day of group play will be one to watch especially if both teams are already assured of qualifying for the Super Six stage and hoping to back early points.

3: Oman

Played: 3
Wins: 2 (Ireland, UAE)
Net run-rate: -1.049
Still to play: Scotland (June 25)

Oman made a scintillating start to their campaign with early wins over Ireland and UAE but fell back to the pack when thumped by Sri Lanka.

That 10-wicket thumping with 35 overs remaining for Sri Lanka to bat crushed the Oman net run rate and left them precariously placed if Ireland win their two matches to come. 

4: Ireland

Played: 2
Wins: 0
Net run-rate: -0.177
Still to play: Sri Lanka (June 25), UAE (June 27)

A shock loss to Oman and a last-ball heartbreaker against Scotland have left Ireland needing other results to go their way to stand any chance of progressing to the Super Six stage.

All they can do from here is turn around their form to secure victories over Sri Lanka and the UAE, while hoping Scotland do them a favour against Oman.

5: UAE

Played: 3
Wins: 0
Net run-rate: -2.071
Still to play: Ireland (June 27)

The UAE are out of contention for the Super Six stage but could end Ireland’s hopes of progressing with a win in their last ODI of the campaign.

 

Source - ICC

-Agencies