South Africa qualify for Cricket World Cup after Ireland-Bangladesh washout

NEW DELHI: South Africa qualified for the ICC Cricket World Cup (50 overs), in India, later this year, after the opening one-day international (ODI) between Ireland and Bangladesh at County Ground in Chelmsford ended in a no-result due to rain.
Ireland had to win all three matches in a series against Bangladesh, the headquarters of English county Essex, if they were to move up from 11th place in the points table.
Even if Ireland now take the series 2-0, they cannot surpass South Africa in eighth place in the World Cup Super League standings.
Ireland will now have to compete in the June 18-July 9 qualifying tournament in Zimbabwe, that also includes former champions West Indies and Sri Lanka in order to gain one of the two remaining places in the main event.
The first spots in the 10-team World Cup go to the top eight finishers of the WCSL, a competition that has run over the last three years.
Reigning champions England, India, New Zealand, Australia, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan have already guaranteed their spots.

(With inputs from AFP)