Almost a week of intense cricket saw Scotland, the UAE, Namibia and shockingly, the West Indies all eliminated.
2016 saw the West Indies overcome England in the last over of the final, to be crowned champions in India. Carlos Braithwaite wreaked havoc over Ben Stokes, as he smashed four consecutive sixes to snatch victory from the hands of England. Six years later, the West Indies have now been knocked out in the qualifiers to the main draw of the same tournament.
Six years later, the West Indies have failed even to qualify for the same tournament
With a rudimentary win over Zimbabwe sandwiched in the middle, the West Indies were pummeled by Scotland and Ireland to seal their fate in Australia. A sad fate for the former champions, as it was far from expected, but also quite revealing of their recent tribulations.
Ireland’s triumph over Scotland with an over remaining in Hobart, put them in pole position to qualify from the group, alongside their subsequent victory against the West Indies. Scotland did have the superior net run rate and so the equation was simple; beat Zimbabwe and qualify for the Super 12.
A mediocre score to beat of 132/6 would require a breathtaking bowling display. Scotland did in turn gather five wickets, but Zimbabwe would finish top of the pile with nine balls remaining in their innings.
A look across to Group A and Sri Lanka were the firm favourites to come out top of the pile. Their campaign got off to an astonishingly bad start, losing to Namibia by 55 runs in the opening game, as the Lions could only muster up 108 runs in their pursuit of 163 in Victoria.
This was the exact wake-up call that Sri Lanka needed, as they breezed past the UAE and the Netherlands in their next two games.
All bets were on either the Dutch or the UAE to claim second spot from the get-go and hopes for their qualifications were pinned on the fixture between the two countries.
It turned out that this game, on the opening day, would be the most thrilling.
The UAE slumped to a mere 111 runs, as the Netherlands looked set for an easy victory. However, with their top scorer being Max O’Dowd with only 23 runs, this affair would go right to the wire. Wicket keeper and captain, Scott Edwards, would win the game on the penultimate ball, as he hit a single under immense pressure.
The Netherlands would therefore join Zimbabwe in Group 2, with India, Pakistan, South Africa and Bangladesh. Whereas, Sri Lanka and Ireland would slot into Group 1 with England, Afghanistan, Australia and New Zealand.
Headed by former England coach, Chris Silverwood, success from the qualifying teams will be pinned firmly onto the shoulders of Sri Lanka, as they will need to orchestrate some cricketing wizardry to overcome the fierce countries in their group.
