(Reuters) - Sri Lanka have secured an automatic berth at the 2019 Cricket World Cup at the expense of West Indies after the two-times champions lost to England in the opener of their one-day series on Tuesday. West Indies, who have 78 points in the ODI team rankings, cannot now overtake Sri Lanka (86 points) ahead of the Sept. 30 cut-off for automatic qualification regardless of how they do in the remaining four games. An unbeaten century from Jonny Bairstow helped England stroll to a seven-wicket victory over West Indies at Old Trafford. The 10-team qualifying event will see West Indies join Afghanistan, Zimbabwe and Ireland taking on the top four sides from the World Cricket League Championship and the top two sides from the World Cricket League Division 2. "ICC events have always brought out the magic in Sri Lanka cricket, and I look forward to proving that once again."

Source: The Star September 20, 2017 03:22 UTC