In a low-scoring thriller in Barbados, New Zealand edged past West Indies with a narrow one-wicket win. The Mitchell Santner-led side won the fourth ODI of the series to take an unassailable 3-1 lead. Following the defeat, West Indies' Amir Jangoo was left heartbroken. He expressed that West Indies don't deserve to be playing in the ICC Men's ODI World Cup 2027 qualifiers.
After Jangoo delivered a blunt verdict, he lauded teenager left-arm wrist spinner Vitel Lawes, looking at the positives in the ongoing five-ODI series at home.
"The kind of quality that this team has, I think we don't deserve to be going to the qualifiers," Jangoo said.
"It's just that's the position that we're in. But we know the quality that we have in our dressing room… all the bowlers, even young Vitel Lawes that we see making a breakthrough in this series here. So it's great signs to see. Going forward now, we have to play the right cricket and get those wins on the board for West Indies."
West Indies far from ODI World Cup 2027 berth
In the ODI World Cup 2023, West Indies could not qualify for the marquee event. Ahead of ODI World Cup 2027, West Indies’ participation is not certain. They are not in the top 10 of ICC Men’s ODI team rankings. They have 75 rating points currently, 15 less than eighth-placed Afghanistan. Once again, they will have to take the qualifiers route to make it to the ODI World Cup next year in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.
What happened in Barbados?
It was West Indies’ first game since legendary all-rounder Gary Sobers’ passing. On an emotional day, West Indies were asked to bat first. They lost six wickets for 81 runs in the 21st over. Jangoo and Gudakesh Motie gave West Indies some hope with an 81-run partnership for the seventh wicket. While Motie departed for 41, Jangoo went on to score a half-century. But, Jangoo and the lower order could not play out the 50 overs. They were bowled out for 188. In the previous two ODIs, they hosts have been bowled out for 138 and 140 respectively. Once again, their batting lineup was disappointing.
But, Matthew Forde and Motie gave West Indies a fighting chance. Forde struck twice with the new ball. Mark Chapman and Michael Bracewell were cruising towards the target when Motie forced a collapse. Chapman departed for an 82-ball 80. From 142/4 in the 26th over, Kiwis were down to 180/9 in the 40th over. They needed nine runs to win from 61 balls. Skipper Santner held on to his nerves whereas Jayden Lennox showed support by facing 10 dot deliveries. On the first ball of the 45th over, Santner scored the winning run as New Zealand registered their narrowest ODI win over West Indies.
The dead rubber of the ODI series will be played on July 22 at Kensington Oval as well.
West Indies’ focus will now shift to the two-Test series against Pakistan. Their next bilateral ODI series is against India starting on September 27.