Proteas qualify for World Cup — without bowling a ball

The Proteas qualified directly for the 2023 World Cup after the first ODI between Ireland and Bangladesh in Chelmsford was cut short by rain on Tuesday.

Ireland had to win the three-match series 3-0 and boost their net run rate to finish above eighth-placed South Africa in the World Cup Super League standings.

The Irish were 65-3 in the 17th over, chasing Bangladesh’s 246-9, made from a full 50 overs, when bad light and rain halted play.

A minimum of 20 overs had to be bowled in Ireland’s innings for a result to be declared under the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method for rain-affected matches.

Fixture called off

But the fixture was called off when the umpires deemed conditions too wet to restart play.

The no-result means that Ireland – and not the Proteas – will take part in a 10-team World Cup Qualifier series in Zimbabwe in June and July that includes the West Indies and Sri Lanka.

Josh Little – fresh from starring in the IPL – led Ireland’s attack with 3-61, with two wickets apiece for Graham Hume and Mark Adair as Bangladesh were restricted to a seemingly modest total on a good pitch.

Mushfiqur Rahim celebrated his 36th birthday by top-scoring for the Tigers with 61 in front of a crowd of some 3,000 at Chelmsford, mainly consisting of Bangladesh fans.

Najmul Hossain Shanto made 44.

Ireland, however, soon found themselves in trouble at 27-2 following the loss of experienced opener Paul Stirling and captain Andrew Balbirnie.

The series continues on Friday.

This story first appeared on sacricketmag.com. It is republished here with permission. For the original click here.