Scotland's Coetzer beomans lbw call in World Cup near-miss

Scotland captain Kyle Coetzer was left to rue a controversial lbw decision as his side narrowly missed out on a World Cup place with defeat by the West Indies on Wednesday. Scotland lost by five runs on the Duckworth/Lewis method after rain arrived in Harare with them 125 for five chasing 199 to win. The West Indies secured the penultimate spot for the 2019 World Cup, with Scotland knocked out of contention. Richie Berrington was given out lbw for 33 to a delivery from off-spinner Ashley Nurse which clearly seemed to be missing leg stump. With the ICC opting not to provide DRS for the qualifiers, that wicket left Scotland behind the par DLS score when the match was called off with 14.4 overs remaining. "Clearly that lbw decision is not sitting very well with us right now," said Coetzer. "It's not the first one in this tournament. In a competition like this, it comes down to a big game like that. "Two critical moments in two critical games have potentially cost us. So we're not feeling too flash right now."

Rain takes @westindies to next year’s @cricketworldcup https://t.co/eu3x6XgSwO
Online Media Zone also includes flash interviews, photos and post-match pressers from #WIvSCO match #CWCQ #roadtocwc19 pic.twitter.com/1i3RC2wYIK

— ICC Media (@ICCMediaComms) March 21, 2018

The rain ruined what had been a compelling day's cricket. Scotland opted to bowl first in the morning, and were given a major boost by the first-ball dismissal of star batsman Chris Gayle, caught behind for a golden duck off the bowling of Safyaan Sharif. Sharif struck again in his second over to leave West Indies reeling at 2 for 2, but a 121-run partnership between Evin Lewis and Marlon Samuels helped to steady the innings. "Our boys bowled extremely well up front and picked up early wickets," said Coetzer. "Credit to the two West Indian batsmen who came in and played brilliantly to see them through that rough period."

Scotland captain Kyle Coetzer speaks with the media after the Windies defeated them by five runs on the DLS method to end their @cricketworldcup hopes #CWCQ #RoadtoCWC19 pic.twitter.com/69UH3xiQz7

— ICC Media (@ICCMediaComms) March 21, 2018

Lewis and Samuels both passed 50, but neither was able to push on and Scotland pace bowlers Sharif and Brad Wheal picked up three wickets apiece as West Indies were bowled out in the 49th over. Scotland's run chase got off to a similarly wobbly start as they lost three quick wickets to be reduced to 25 for three. Partnerships between Calum MacLeod and Berrington, and then Berrington and George Munsey, helped to keep their chase ticking over, but Berrington's controversial dismissal just before the rain arrived proved to be the turning point. "We feel pretty rough right now. There's a bit of emotion going around," said Coetzer. "The guys are absolutely gutted. They're sat upstairs right now, and finding it pretty tough at the moment. It's not the way we wanted to end the tournament but we look back and it's five runs... it's just five runs. And it's something pretty important that could have happened there."

Scotland beat Afghanistan, tie with Zimbabwe and only lose to West Indies because of no DRS.
They played 4 ODIs v Test teams in 4 years and get 1/8th the ICC funding Zimbabwe get.
And ICC say World Cup cut because there aren't enough competitive teams

— Tim (@timwig) March 21, 2018

Despite his disappointment, Coetzer was full of praise for his team, whose only defeats in the tournament came to Ireland and West Indies. "I couldn't say any more for our guys. They have been absolutely outstanding. There's obviously been a lot of pressure on them. "There was extreme pressure today, with pretty much the whole world barring the West Indies wanting us to turn them over. That was what we feel is for the good of the game. Try and make a scene and get us into that World Cup. But it wasn't to be today." For Windies skipper Jason Holder, the win brought the relief of knowing that he would not be in charge of the first West Indies team to miss out on World Cup qualification. "Definitely relieved," said Holder. "Coming into this tournament, being here for the first time in a qualifier, we knew what was at stake.

Captain @JaseHolder98 speaks at a media conference after the Windies defeated Scotland and ensured a place in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019. #CWCQ #RoadtoCWC19 @CricketWestIndies @icc pic.twitter.com/ssI27IB1Pc

— ICC Media (@ICCMediaComms) March 21, 2018

"And I was really pleased with how the guys responded. We really came together as a squad and everyone put their heads together and tried to do what's best for West Indies cricket and what's best for ourselves." Zimbabwe will claim the final place at the reduced 10-team World Cup if they beat the United Arab Emirates on Thursday.Who's saying what after Scotland World Cup heartbreak"Two critical moments in two critical games have potentially cost us. So we're not feeling too flash right now." -- Scotland captain Kyle Coetzer on umpiring blunders in the defeat to Ireland and against the Windies when Richie Berrington was wrongly given out lbw. There is no DRS at the competition. Had Berrington remained not out when rain stopped play then Scotland would have qualified on the D/L method. "There was extreme pressure, with pretty much the whole world barring the West Indies wanting us to turn them over. That was what we feel is for the good of the game. Try and make a scene and get us into that World Cup. But it wasn't to be." -- Coetzer

I don’t have the words to describe the feeling. Beyond gutted. Thank you to everyone back home for the support. We truly felt it. We will be back stronger!

— Ali Evans (@AliEvans647) March 21, 2018

"Feel absolutely sick for everyone @CricketScotland, players, support staff, administration & supporters. It's all been said before, but this tournament has highlighted (again) so much that is wrong with the management, structure & priorities of world cricket @ICC #notgoodenough." -- Former Scotland captain Craig Wright "@ICC I think you need to re-address your 'values' below, particularly your final point. Your actions as a governing body are so misaligned with this it's frightening." -- Ex-Scotland captain Preston Mommsen commenting on the ICC's 'value' of "commitment to the global game".

Gutted. So close, heartbreaking to have a game and tournament like this decided by rain. Congrats to @westindies #followscotland

— Calum MacLeod (@calummacleod640) March 21, 2018

"Gutted doesn’t come close, we played some fantastic cricket this tournament. Pleased to hear the @westindies celebrating dramatically after a game in the balance settled by rain beating us the associate!! I’m a proud of @CricketScotland lads!Thanks for the support!! -- Scotland batsman George Munsey

Delighted for @westindies qualifying for the World Cup ... But let’s be honest Scotland,Ireland,Nepal,Afghanistan,Zimbabwe should all be there ... The ICC have made a huge mistake ...

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) March 21, 2018

"Delighted for @westindies qualifying for the World Cup ... But let’s be honest Scotland,Ireland,Nepal,Afghanistan,Zimbabwe should all be there ... The ICC have made a huge mistake .." -- Former England captain Michael Vaughan on the ICC's widely-panned decision to cut the World Cup in 2019 to just 10 teams.

So that is what it comes down to after all the effort. 5 runs on DLS method for a place in the World Cup. It would have been incomplete without the West Indies but try telling that to gallant Scotland.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) March 21, 2018