Nelson: Following Australia and England, New Zealand have become the third team to qualify for the ICC Women’s World Cup 2017. Earlier they defeated Pakistan by seven wickets in Nelson today in the second match of their IWC series.
As per the point system, the win took New Zealand to 24 points from 20 matches at number three on the points table (see picture). The Black Caps Women and Pakistan will play the last match of their three-match ICC Women’s Championship series on November 19.
Behind Black Caps stays the West Indies side on the fourth petal with 22 points. It will however, depend on the points table post the South Africa-Australia ODI series which is starting tomorrow. If South Africa is able to win the first three matches, they will get 23 points to replace West Indies and they qualify for the prestigious tournament.
While the top four sides on the point table get direct qualifications, remaining teams will have to win their qualification through the 10-team ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifier 2017 in Sri Lanka’s capital Colombo from 7-21 February.
An excited Black Caps Skipper, Suzie Bates speaking about the prospect of playing the ICC Women’s World Cup 2017, said, “It’s a great feeling to have qualified direct for the ICC Women’s World Cup 2017. Coming through the ICC Women’s Championship has been challenging, but we have enjoyed every bit of it. The experience of playing in different conditions will go a long way in our overall development as a team.”
Speaking further about the mega event, she added, “We’re all thrilled and can’t wait for next year’s ICC Women’s World Cup and our goal is to be there at Lord’s for the final on 23 July. The World Cup is obviously the showpiece event for women’s cricket and every team wants to go out there and do the best it possibly can. Our aim now is to prepare in the best possible manner for this pinnacle tournament on the women’s calendar.”