South Africa have been given a concerning dent as their situation of directly qualifying for the ICC World Cup 2023, later in the year in India, have taken a slight hit after they were docked a point for maintaining a slow over-rate during their loss in the 3rd ODI against England in the series which South Africa won 2-1.
Match referee Jeff Crowe levied the sanction, finding Temba Bavuma’s team to be one over short of the target after time allowances were taken into consideration. South Africa were also fined 20% of their match fee for the offence.
More than the match fees it is the point docked from their ODI Super League tally that will hurt the Proteas as now they face the task of defeating Netherlands 2-0 in the 2-ODI series later. Any other result that a 2-0 cleansweep is likely to mean that South Africa will not directly qualify for the 2023 World Cup, and will then have to play in the qualifiers to reach the tournament.
South Africa are currently 9th with 78 points – they had 79 before the penalty – in the ODI Super League.
The top 8 teams in this ODI Super League will get a direct entry for the tournament in India, and 7 have already secured their position: New Zealand, India, England, Pakistan, Australia, Bangladesh and Afghanistan.
Four teams – West Indies(88 points), South Africa (78), Sri Lanka (77) and Ireland (68) – are currently in the race for that one remaining spot and to avoid the qualifiers. West Indies have completed their matches. South Africa face the Netherlands in a 2-ODI series, which they must win 2-0, while Sri Lanka have a 3-ODI series in New Zealand, and if they win 3-0, they will qualify. Ireland have 3 ODIs left vs Bangladesh.
The bottom 5 in the Super League will have to play the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier along with five Associate teams. Two teams from that qualifier competition will then progress to the World Cup.
