It’s been a while now, over two months, but the relief of qualifying for the 2019 World Cup is still evident in Stuart Law’s words.
In London with the West Indies team ahead of their one-off T20I against a World XI side to raise funds to repair hurricane-damaged stadia in the Caribbean, Law said, “Thank goodness we got through.”
It would have been embarrassing for the West Indies, champions in the 1975 and 1979 World Cups, to miss out on qualification to the ten-team edition in 2019 after failing to qualify for the eight-team Champions Trophy last year.
“We are trying to take it (cricket) to the world and here we are blocking out some of the nations that have really featured heavily in the last couple of T20 World Cups and 50-over World Cups,” pointed out Law.
“Ireland beating England, Afghanistan picking up big scalps as well along the way. So it is not for me to decide, I am just disappointed that we haven’t got the likes of the Irish in there because when they win they know how to party, they play with a smile on their face and they really enjoy their cricket – win, lose or draw.
“They are a great team to be around and a great team to watch as well. So, it is a shame they are not in.”
