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 |
| 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.
