Rain finally favours South Africa as they qualify for ODI World Cup after IRE vs BAN first ODI gets washed out

The South African cricket team have always had a patchy history when it comes to the grandest stage of all, the World Cups. Who can forget the 1999 ODI world cup where the Proteas suffered a rather embarrassing defeat against Australia? But for a change, years after, this time the weather despite playing possums has finally given them a moment to cherish on Tuesday, May 9.

In the latest development, South Africa has automatically qualified for the upcoming world cup in India, which is scheduled to take place later this year. Courtesy of a rain-marred affair, the first ODI between Ireland and Bangladesh got washed out at Chelmsford in Essex, England. Consequently, Ireland have been denied a chance to make it to the ODI world cup.

Notably, the Irish side had to clean-sweep Bangladesh by a 3-0 margin to claim the eighth spot which was up for grabs in the ICC Super League table. While the Temba Bavuma-led side had a jittery time after playing their ICC Super League matches back in March. They were up against the visitors, the Netherlands in their own backyard and they successfully defeated the Dutch side by a 2-0 margin in the home ODI series to claim 98 points in the points tally.

Albeit, despite their win, the eighth spot for automatic qualification was still wide open with other associate teams with the likes of Ireland and Netherlands having a sniff at the qualification chance for the upcoming ODI world cup. So the matter was left to settle depending on the result of the ongoing ODI series between Ireland and Bangladesh. Interestingly enough, the ODI series was moved to England to avoid the possibility of rain hampering the series.

Ireland defied automatic qualification after first ODI against Bangladesh gets washed out

Speaking of the first ODI between Ireland and Bangladesh, the hosts after having won the toss, invited the Bangla Tigers to bat first. The decision turned out to be in the favour of the Irish side but Mushfiqur Raheem's birthday special knock helped the visitors to post a competitive total of 246/9. In reply, after 16.3 overs, Ireland were 65/3 on the board before the match got abandoned due to incessant rains.

After rain playing the spoilsport, Ireland will now have to compete through a 10-team qualifying tournament to be held in Zimbabwe. Notably, the tournament will commence on June 18 and will conclude on July 9. Furthermore, major cricket-playing nations such as Sri Lanka and the former world champions will also be chasing their world cup dream along with Ireland.

Meanwhile, South Africa's next assignment will be against Australia as they are most likely to play a 5-match ODI series at home in September, in a bid to prepare for the upcoming World Cup to be held in India in October. Moreover, the Proteas will also clash with the Aussies in the 3-match T20I series in Durban as well before the ODIs.