Once ruled the roost in World Cricket and champions of the first two editions of the World Cup, the Windies are now in a danger of missing direct entry into the 2019 World Cup. When they face Ireland at the Civil Service Cricket Club in Belfast on Wednesday (September 13), there will be a lot of eyes, no doubt, pinned on the Windies side. An unwelcoming guest, however, too might keep its eyes wide open. Not to witness the proceedings, but to do the exact opposite. Who else? The rain.
IRELAND VS WINDIES
Boosted by return of Gayle, Windies begin race for direct qualification
Windies will bank on Gayle to save the sinking ship. © Getty
Having surprised themselves in the recently concluded Test series against England, the Windies will desperately look upwards from hereon; literally and figuratively. They have to, for they are set to play six ODIs - one in Ireland and five in England - in the tricky and tacky weather of the United Kingdom. Although they cannot think of losing the lone ODI against Ireland, they need to win the series 4-1 against England if they want a hassle-free entry into the 2019 World Cup in England.
The Windies are currently 9th in the ICC ODI rankings and trail Sri Lanka - 8th in the list - by eight points. The gap might seem small, but the Caribbean side know that
