Sri Lanka have secured an automatic berth at the 2019 Cricket World Cup at the expense of the West Indies after the two-time champions' loss to England in their opening one-day international in Manchester.
The Windies, who have 78 points in the ODI team rankings, cannot overtake Sri Lanka (86 points) ahead of the September 30 cutoff for automatic qualification regardless of how they do in the remaining four games in England.
An unbeaten century from Jonny Bairstow helped England stroll to a seven-wicket victory in Tuesday's first match at Old Trafford.
Failure to secure automatic entry is a significant comedown for Jason Holder's team, who won the first two World Cups in 1975 and 1979. They will have to finish in the top two at a qualifier next year if they are to progress to the 2019 tournament in England and Wales.
In the 10-team qualifying event, the West Indies will join Afghanistan, Zimbabwe and Ireland in taking on the top-four sides from the World Cricket League Championship and the top two from division two.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) introduced the qualifying event after reducing the number of teams for 2019 to 10 from the 14 who contested the 2015 edition in Australia and New Zealand.
Sri Lanka, who recently lost a home ODI series to India 5-0, join England, Australia, Bangladesh, India, New Zealand, Pakistan and South Africa as direct qualifiers for the May 30-July 15 World Cup.
Sri Lanka's ODI captain Upul Tharanga was grateful for the support the team had received when results were not going their way.
"It's no secret that we have been going through a tough time, but I want to say a big, big thank you to our fans who've kept faith with us when things looked bleak," he said in an ICC statement.
"ICC events have always brought out the magic in Sri Lanka cricket, and I look forward to proving that once again."
Share
