CHELMSFORD: The first ODI of the ongoing three-match series between Ireland and Bangladesh was abandoned due to persistent rain here and ended the hosts’ hopes for automatic qualification to the 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup.

The washout, however, turned out to be very fortunate for South Africa as they edged Ireland in the Cricket World Cup Super League points table and booked their spot in this year’s mega event.

The most recent changes in the race for automatic spots had come after Sri Lanka’s unsuccessful series against New Zealand, and South Africa’s two recent wins over the Netherlands in a home series.

South Africa gave themselves every opportunity to automatically qualify for this year’s ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in their last home series against the Netherlands.

The Proteas’ series victory propelled them past the West Indies into the eighth and final slot in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League standings.

However, their prospects of automatic qualification were still dependent on Ireland’s ODIs against Bangladesh. A 3-0 series victory for Ireland would have tied them on points with South Africa if no penalty points were awarded.

The net run rate would still have come into play for the last slot, but since Ireland’s first ODI against Bangladesh was called off on Tuesday, the Proteas have secured their place in the World Cup.

Meanwhile, Ireland will have to play the Qualifiers in Zimbabwe in June.

Teams – Qualified for ICC Men’s ODI World Cup:

India (hosts), New Zealand, England, Australia, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Afghanistan, South Africa.

Cricket World Cup Qualifier Teams: 10 (West Indies, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, Ireland, Netherlands, Scotland, Oman, Nepal, USA, UAE).

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