England’s ICC World Cup 2027 qualification in jeopardy after ODI ranking drop
Published - 11 May 2025, 04:00 PM | Updated - 11 May 2025, 11:42 PM
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England’s chances of qualifying directly for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2027 have taken a big blow after the International Cricket Council’s latest annual update of ODI rankings. The 2019 World Cup champions have dropped to eighth place, now sitting below Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and Afghanistan with just 84 rating points in the latest ICC ODI Rankings.
England managed to win only 3 out of 14 ODIs from May 4, 2024, to May 5, 2025, with a win/loss ratio of just 0.272, which is better only than Nepal (0.200) and Bangladesh (0.142). Their poor form puts them at serious risk of missing automatic qualification for the ICC World Cup 2027.
Poor ODI form puts England’s direct ICC World Cup 2027 qualification at risk
The ODI World Cup 2027 will feature 14 teams. South Africa and Zimbabwe are already qualified as hosts for the 2027 edition of the tournament. But Namibia, despite being co-hosts, will not get automatic entry as they are not a full member of the ICC. Apart from the hosts, the top eight teams in the ODI rankings as of March 31, 2027, will qualify directly.
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The top 8 teams in the ICC ODI rankings by March 31, 2027, will earn direct qualification for the ODI World Cup 2025. Currently, England are just one point ahead of West Indies, who sit at ninth with 83 rating points in the latest ICC ODI Ranking. The two sides will face off in a crucial three-match ODI series starting May 29.
If England loses the upcoming three-match ODI series against the West Indies starting May 29, they risk dropping to ninth in the rankings, pushing the 2019 World Cup champions into ninth place. That would force them to play in the World Cup Qualifiers for the first time ever, highlighting the danger they now face.
England set to play three ODIs against the West Indies at home
With Harry Brook leading the side, England will need a dramatic improvement in performance to avoid going through the World Cup Qualifiers. Last time, the West Indies faced the same situation, but they could not qualify for the 2023 ODI World Cup in India.
Meanwhile, England will be hosting the West Indies in a three-match T20I series and a three-match ODI series from May 29. The three ODIs will be played on May 29, June 1, and June 3 at Birmingham, Cardiff, and The Oval, respectively, while three T20Is are scheduled on June 6, June 8, and June 10 at Durham, Bristol, and Southampton, respectively.
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The West Indies have announced the ODI squad for the upcoming series in the UK, while the hosts have yet to unveil their ODI and T20I squads for the home series. Before hosting the West Indies, the English side is scheduled to play a one-off Test against Zimbabwe this month.
West Indies ODI squad:
Hope (c), Andrew, Carty, Chase, Forde, Greaves, Jangoo, Joseph, Shamar, King, Lewis, Motie, Rutherford, Seales, Romario
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