South Africa's direct World Cup qualification in turmoil after ICC docks point for slow over-rate

Although South Africa triumphed in the recently concluded ODI series against World Champions England, their hopes of a direct qualification to this year's World Cup in India took a massive dent after they were penalized for slow over-rate in the final ODI in Kimberley on Wednesday. Temba Bavuma's side were fined 20 percent of their match fee, and a point was docked from their tally in the Super League standings.

The Proteas were firmly poised for a whitewash of the visiting England side after reducing the Three Lions to 14/3 inside the first six overs of the match. It looked like the game was heading for an early finish as the South African pacers were all over their opponents in the early stages of the match.

However, a sensational fightback from English skipper Jos Buttler and Dawid Malan propelled them to a daunting total of 346 runs in the series finale. The home side started off the chase briskly, but a mini-collapse in the middle overs derailed their chase, as they fell short of the target by 59 runs.

Despite that loss, Temba Bavuma seemed content with the series victory, but the deduction of a crucial point in the aftermath of the game has left their direct qualification chances hanging in the balance. The South African skipper pled guilty to the offense and accepted the proposed sanction, dismissing the need for a formal hearing.

South Africa's World Cup qualification hopes are in a pickle after latest debacle

This was the Proteas' first penalty-over offense in the ongoing cycle after the home side were ruled to be one over short of the target after time allowances were taken into consideration and it couldn't have come at a worse time as the African side are desperate for Super League points, following their withdrawal from the three-match home series against Australia due to the inaugural edition of the SA20.

They are currently placed in the ninth position, ten points adrift of the West Indies in eighth place, the final direct qualifying position in the rankings. South Africa will face minnows the Netherlands in their final two matches of the ongoing cycle and will hope for favours from elsewhere in a bid to secure their direct qualification for the World Cup later this year.

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