Can the Proteas still qualify for the Cricket World Cup semifinals? Despite their dreadful start to the tournament, South Africa, as it stands, are still in with a chance. Ahead of today’s clash against Pakistan at Lord’s, we take a look at the best (and most likely route!) for the Proteas to make it to the last four of the tournament.
Table after June 22 Games
Games left for Proteas & major competitors
Proteas (3 points from 6 games)– Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Australia
England (8 points from 6 games)- Australia, India, New Zealand
Sri Lanka (6 points from 6 games)– South Africa, West Indies, India
Bangladesh (5 points from 6 games)– Afghanistan, India, Pakistan
West Indies (3 points from 6 games)– India, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan
Pakistan (3 points from 5 games)– South Africa, New Zealand, Afghanistan, Bangladesh
How can South Africa still qualify for the CWC semis?
The Proteas must win all three of their games, which will take them to 9 points.
They need England to lose all three of their remaining games- England haven’t won against Australia, India and NZ in group play at the World Cup since 1992. England will then finish on 8.
They also need Sri Lanka to win only one of their three games. Given that SL should beat the Windies, that means India have to beat Sri Lanka.
If the Windies beat Sri Lanka, they (WI) need to lose to India. Given the Indian game is before the SL one, the Windies might be out of the tournament by then, which is why we think Sri Lanka would beat the Men in Maroon.
They also need Bangladesh to win only one game. If Bangladesh win two, it could come to net run rate (and they could improve theirs against Afghanistan), which means the Proteas would want India and Pakistan to beat Bangladesh.
In an ideal world, for the Proteas, Pakistan would lose to New Zealand but beat Bangladesh. If the Proteas beat Pakistan, but the latter win their remaining three, it could come to net run rate- Pakistan have a terrible current NRR (-1.933), but they do have a game in hand against Afghanistan.
In such a scenario, the Proteas will finish on 9 points, and all their challengers below them (England 8, Sri Lanka 8, Bangladesh and Pakistan 7 each)