Worst Indies: Once-mighty Calypso Kings fail to qualify for World Cup after shock loss to Scotland

West Indies’ fall from the top of global cricket is complete after the two-time World Cup champions missed qualification for the 50-over tournament for the first time.

Already forced to go through the qualifying stage, West Indies’ hopes of reaching the tournament stage were ended on Saturday with a seven-wicket loss to Scotland.

That has knocked them out of the competition at the Super Six stage, after previous losses to hosts Zimbabwe and Netherlands in the qualification competition.

Scotland won the toss and elected to bat, restricting West Indies to 181 all out in 43.5 overs. Brandon McMullen was the pick of the bowlers with 3-32 in nine overs.

Scotland chased down their target with ease, reaching 185 for three in 43.3 overs as McMullen struck 69 and opener Matthew Cross was unbeaten on 74.

(Photo by Alex Davidson-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)

The result left West Indies with no points from their three games in the Super Six stage and unable to qualify.

Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, Scotland and Netherland each remain in contention to qualify as the two teams from the tournament.

West Indies, who have lost to Scotland in 50-over cricket for the first time, had been criticised by their own coach Daren Sammy, who said they were the worst fielding team in the qualifiers and they were poor again on Saturday.

“We need to look at all areas. We have let ourselves down at this tournament. We have to go one way from here and that is up,” captain Shai Hope said at the post-match presentation.

“I don’t think we gave that 100 per cent effort every single time. We only did it in patches.”

There have been mitigating circumstances. 

The team have battled with illness and injuries, but the fact that their only victories in five matches in Zimbabwe have come against Nepal and the United States is a very poor return.

“The preparation needs to be better. We can’t expect to be an elite team without that backing from (the cricket board) at home,” Hope said.

The top two teams in the Super Six table qualify for the World Cup, which will be staged in India from October 5 to November 19.

West Indies won the first two tournaments, played in 1975 and 1979, and were losing finalists in the third.