Stephan Myburgh (Photo Source: Twitter)
Former Netherlands batter Stephan Myburgh expressed his disappointment following West Indies’ painful defeat against Scotland in the Qualifier match, which ended their chances of making a place in the 2023 ODI World Cup in India.
Notably, the two-time World Champions have been going through a rough patch in the recent past and they hit rock bottom when they endured a seven-wicket defeat against Scotland in the Qualifier. West Indies, therefore, will not play the ODI World Cup for the first time in their own as well as the tournament’s history.
Former cricketer Stephan Myburgh was seemingly disappointed with the limitations of teams in the global marquee event and opined on having a 16-team World Cup instead of the traditional 10 teams in the mix. He further stated that other sports are growing whereas due to its limitation with teams, cricket has remained stagnant.
Spare your thoughts on 10 teams at the ODI World Cup main event✍️
📸: ICC#ICCWorldCupQualifier #WestIndies pic.twitter.com/WRAaBfXQJI
— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) July 3, 2023
“The truth is that cricket is getting killed with the limitation of teams at World Cups. It should be exactly what it says, World Cup!!! Should be at least 16 teams competing. All sports growing in participants except cricket. Very sad!!! WI (West Indies) should still be at the World Cup,” told Myburgh on his Instagram.
For the unversed, the Windies made it to the quarter-final of 2011 and 2015 editions of the World Cup. However, in the 2019 ODI event, the Caribbean side had a dismal campaign as they stood in the ninth place in the standings.
Missing out on the 2023 ODI World Cup in India would be the second major ODI competition as the Windies failed to make it for the Champions Trophy in 2017. Speaking about the ongoing Qualifiers, the side lost two and won as many in the group stage to somehow progress for the Super Six.
However, the Windies lost each of their first three Super Six fixtures with no chances of qualification for the marquee event in India. With two games still to be played, West Indies will fight for their pride and aim for comprehensive wins before turning their attention towards the multi-format series against team India.