ODI World Cup Qualifiers: How can West Indies qualify for ODI World Cup 2023?

The champions of the 1975 and 1979 World Cups, the West Indies, have registered a dramatic decline in their cricketing standards as compared to the world beaters they were of the past. Currently competing in the ODI World Cup Qualifiers 2023, the West Indies find themselves on the lower end of the spectrum.

With the Qualifiers moving into the Super Six stage soon, it could be very tough for the West Indies to finish in the top two and qualify for the World Cup. Before the start of the Qualifiers, the West Indies were hot favourites to win it alongside Sri Lanka. However, a tough competition among the teams involved has pushed them to the brink of elimination.

The West Indies, who will be going into the Super Six with zero points, have a very slim chance of making it to the World Cup. However, it is worth noting that there is still a chance. Seeing their form, one would opine that they would not be able to qualify for the marquee tournament, but they still can make it mathematically. 

Victories in the next three matches would give them the best chance for qualification; however, they would still be depending on the results of the other teams. To qualify, the West Indies would hope that both Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe lose at least two of their three matches.

Furthermore, if either of those teams or any of the others finish with six points and the West Indies win all three of their matches, they would have to stay ahead on net run rate. The Windies find themselves ahead of the Netherlands and Oman on net run rate, as it was not affected when they lost to the Netherlands in the one-over eliminator.

There is another way for the West Indies to qualify and that would not require the net run rate to come into play. That way would be applicable when Zimbabwe go on to lose all of their Super Six matches and Sri Lanka lose their clash against the West Indies but win their remaining two games. Oman win two, and Scotland and the Netherlands win one each. If this specific scenario plays out, Sri Lanka will finish with eight points, the West Indies with six points, and the other teams with four each.