Why are West Indies not at the Cricket World Cup? Explaining how Windies failed to qualify for 2023 ICC ODI tournament

Vishakha Deshpande

Why are West Indies not at the Cricket World Cup? Explaining how Windies failed to qualify for 2023 ICC ODI tournament image

The West Indies are one of the most famous cricketing nations around, and have won the ODI World Cup multiple times — but they will not be at the 2023 tournament in India.

In an unprecedented turn of events, the Windies failed to secure a spot in this year's showpiece, marking the first time they have not participated in the spectacle.

Since the inaugural edition in 1975, where they clinched the title and then successfully defended it four years later, the West Indies had been a constant presence in every One Day International men's World Cup. 

However, that remarkable streak has now come to an end. 

MORE: Cricket World Cup 2023 full fixtures, schedule and results

Why are West Indies not at the Cricket World Cup 2023?

Despite their illustrious Cricket World Cup pedigree, the West Indies did not qualify for the 2023 event.

Having missed out initially via their ICC ODI ranking, they were forced to battle through the latter stages of the qualification process for the tournament.

A total of 32 countries were a part of the qualifying cycle. At the end of that process, 10 teams were finalised for the World Cup in India.

The initial 32 teams were divided into three leagues — Super League, League 2 and Challenge League— on the basis of their ICC membership, ODI status and their ranking after the 2017-19 qualifying process.

The Super League featured 13 teams, out of which eight (including the hosts, India) qualified for the World Cup based on the 2020-23 Super League tournament rankings. 

Here's how that initial stage of qualification played out:

Tournament Dates Qualified/Outcome
Super League July 30, 2020 – May, 14 2023 India, Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, England, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa qualify directly for World Cup

West Indies, Sri Lanka, Ireland, Zimbabwe, Netherlands advance to Qualifier
League 2 August, 14 2019 – March, 16 2023 Nepal, Oman, Scotland advance to Qualifier

Namibia, Papua New Guinea, UAE, United States advance to Qualifier play-offs.
Challenge League
September 16 2019 – December 13 2022
Canada, Jersey advance to Qualifier play-offs

After this initial stage — and then a series of play-offs between the Associate nations —the remaining teams in contention played in the 2023 Qualifier in Zimbabwe. The top two teams from that qualified directly for the 2023 Cricket World Cup.

Ireland, Netherlands, Sri Lanka, West Indies, Zimbabwe, Nepal, Oman, Scotland, UAE and United States all took part in that final elimination stage. And, in the end, it was the Netherlands and Sri Lanka who made it through, meeting in the final as Sri Lanka emerged victorious overall.

The Windies' hopes hinged on a crucial match against Scotland, where victory was imperative to keep their World Cup dreams alive, but they succumbed to a seven-run defeat at Harare Sports Club. 

This loss marked their third setback in the qualifying tournament, following defeats against Zimbabwe and the Netherlands. 

MORE: Read West Indies legend Chris Gayle's exclusive predictions on the 2023 Cricket World Cup

West Indies Cricket World Cup record

Year

Performance

1975

Winners

1979

Winners

1983

Runners-up

1987

Group Stage

1992

Group Stage

1996

Semi-finals

1999

Group Stage

2003

Group Stage

2007

Super 8

2011

Quarter-finals

2015

Quarter-finals

2019

Group stage

2023

Did not qualify

Chris Gayle reflects on Windies' struggles

As one of the most famous cricketing nations going, the Windies have their fair share of legendary former players, but few come close to Chris Gayle.

The "Universe Boss" is one of the game's true greats —  he starred for the Windies across Tests, ODIs and T20s as the most capped player in his country's history, and in the World Cup 2015 hit the fastest ever ODI double century, against Zimbabwe, off 138 balls.

Speaking exclusively to The Spirit of Cricket podcast, presented by DafaNews and The Sporting News, Gayle reflected recently on his disappointment that the Windies would not be part of the action this October and November in India, and he suggested that an overhaul of West Indian cricket is now underway.

You can hear his thoughts exclusively by watching the full episode here

MORE: Predict the CWC 2023 matches here and win the latest Apple gadgets and big cash prizes (India only)

When do West Indies play next?

Due to their inability to qualify for the 2023 Cricket World Cup, fans of the  West Indies will have to wait to cheer on their team in action.

The West Indies will play an ODI and T20 series against England in December 2023, followed by a Test, ODI and T20 series against Australia in January 2024.

Vishakha Deshpande

Vishakha Deshpande Photo

Vishakha Deshpande is a content producer for The Sporting News.