South Africa close in on automatic World Cup berth

JOHANNESBURG: South Africa have given themselves every chance of qualifying automatically for this year’s ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup with a commanding 146-run victory over the Netherlands in Johannesburg at the weekend.

Star batter Aiden Markram compiled a brilliant 175 from just 126 deliveries as South Africa posted an imposing total of 370-8 and the Netherlands never looked likely in reply as pacer Sisanda Magala (5-43) collected career best figures to ensure the visitors were all out for just 224 in the 40th over.

The victory ensured South Africa claimed the three-match series 2-0, but more importantly moved the Proteas past the West Indies and into the eighth and final spot on the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League standings.

The top eight teams at the end of the Super League qualify automatically for the 50-over World Cup that is scheduled to be held later this year and there were fears South Africa would miss out on a top eight finish and be forced into the qualifying tournament in Zimbabwe during June and July.

But South Africa’s latest triumph has them well placed to avoid that trip to the qualifier, with 11th placed Ireland now the only team that can overtake them and make the Proteas earn their spot in the World Cup the hard way.

Ireland have three more matches remaining against Bangladesh in the Super League cycle that will be held in England next month and a series sweep by the European side in those matches could still see South Africa sent to the qualifier.

While South Africa (-0.077) do currently hold a superior net run rate than Ireland (-0.382), that could easily change if Andrew Balbirnie’s side do complete a series sweep.

The Qualifier will feature two-time World Cup winners the West Indies and 1996 champions Sri Lanka, while hosts Zimbabwe and the Netherlands are likely to be joined by Ireland should South Africa hold on to the final automatic qualifying spot.

Those five teams will also be joined by Scotland, Oman and Nepal after they finished in the top three places during the recently completed ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 campaign, while two other sides will also feature once the ongoing Qualifier Play-off in Namibia is finished.