South Africa lose crucial points in race to direct Cricket World Cup qualification

South Africa have been docked a point in the ongoing ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League cycle for their slow over-rate during the third ODI against England in Kimberly on February 1.

Despite having won the three-match series, South Africa’s 59-run defeat in the third and final ODI against England at the Diamond Oval, Kimberley on Wednesday has them delicately placed in the ongoing ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League, wherein they currently occupy the ninth position.

South Africa were further dented due to their slow over-rate in the game, which led to them losing a point, thereby widening the gulf between them and eighth-placed Sri Lanka. They have also been fined 20 per cent of their match fee.

South Africa were ruled to be one over short of the target after time allowances were taken into consideration and Jeff Crowe of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees imposed the sanction.

It has cost them a point in the Super League points table at a time they badly needed any point coming their way. It was their second penalty-over offence in the ongoing cycle, wherein Sri Lanka have already lost three points, followed by West Indies and Ireland (two each) and India (one).

The top eight teams in the Super League cycle will be ensured a direct qualification to the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 later this year, with India qualifying automatically on account of being the hosts.

South Africa’s chances had taken a significant dent following their withdrawal from the three-match home series against Australia, before they redeemed themselves with back-to-back wins against England.

A team gets 10 points for a win, five for a tie/no result/abandoned match, and zero for a defeat. South Africa currently have 78 points – 10 behind Sri Lanka – who will play three ODIs on their New Zealand tour in March.

The Proteas have two games remaining in the cycle – against the Netherlands – in March-April, setting it up for a tight contest for the last spot in the top-eight finish.

The bottom five teams in the standings will join five Associate teams in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe in June, from which the top two teams will make it through to the tournament major.