Boost for Sri Lanka and Scotland, captain hails Oman: CWC23 Qualifier Daily Digest - Day 3

The Cricket World Cup Qualifier Daily Digest - Day 3 is your one-stop destination to keep track of everything CWCQ, be it breaking news, quirky statistics or behind-the-scenes content.

• Ireland v Scotland
• Oman v UAE

Watt ready for CWCQ action

Scotland will be bolstered by the presence of ace spinner Mark Watt, who will join up with the Scotland squad ahead of their tournament opener against Ireland on June 21.

The spinner was recently in action in English County cricket, plying his trade for Derbyshire.

Scotland will look to get their campaign off with a victory, while piling on more pressure on Ireland who are reeling from their defeat against Oman.

Sri Lanka add standby options to CWCQ squad

Sri Lanka have called up three players as standby options to their CWC squad, “in case the national team needs cover”.

Dilshan Madushanka, the left-arm pacer, Dunith Wellalage, the left-arm spinner, and aggressive batter Sahan Arachchige will all fly to Zimbabwe, and join the rest of the side in Bulawayo 23 June.

The summoning of Wellalage is particularly noteworthy as left-arm spin is an option the current playing squad lacks.

More here.

Three players set to join Sri Lanka's Qualifier squad as stand-by options

An orange cake for Michael Levitt

Netherlands batter Michael Levitt turned 21 on Monday, and fittingly cut an orange cake while being serenaded by teammates. Inevitably, a cake smash ensued.

'This win matters a lot' - Oman captain Maqsood savours big win

Zeeshan Maqsood, the Oman captain, hailed his team's efforts as they saw off Ireland in their CWC Qualifier opener, in a result that'll go down as the first upset of the tournament.

Oman's victory was their first in an ODI against Ireland, a statement win from one of the group's underdogs. "Outstanding," he told ICC, when asked to sum up the match. "It looked like we were the side with Test status.

"It's a combined performance from the boys, from the batters and the fielders. I'm pretty happy. Coach also will be happy.

"We're not underdogs. We've played some cricket last four years, and we've performed very well. That's how we came here. So this win matters a lot."

Ever present Orange

Netherlands, who began their CWCQ campaign against Zimbabwe on Tuesday, is the only team that has competed in every edition of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifiers (1979 – 2023).

They have played 81 matches so far, winning 57 of them for a win PCT of 70.37.

The unstoppable Sikandar Raza

Zimbabwe superstar Sikandar Raza scored a ballistic century against the Netherlands as the home side cruised to a six-wicket victory in Harare.

The century was the fastest by a Zimbabwe batter in ODIs, the feat coming off just 54 balls. It helped Zimbabwe post 319, making for their third-highest successful run-chase in ODIs.

Raza began the day excelling with the ball, dismantling the USA batters with 4/55.

CWC Qualifier 2023: All you need to know

CWCQ – The format

Two groups, each made up of five teams, play a round-robin series within their group.

The top three teams in each group then progress to the CWC Qualifier Super Six stage, while carrying over their results from the two matches against the other teams to advance from their initial group.

The teams that progress to the Super Six stage will then play the three teams to advance from their opposite group to complete the pivotal match-ups.

The top two teams at the end of the Super Six stage will book their ticket to the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 in India later this year, while also facing off in a CWC Qualifier Final on July 9.

Cricket World Cup Qualifier teams

Ireland, Nepal, Netherlands, Oman, Scotland, Sri Lanka, UAE, USA, West Indies and Zimbabwe make up the 10 teams playing in the Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2023.

Follow Cricket World Cup Qualifier live scores

Follow the live scores in the Cricket World Cup Qualifier in the ICC Match Centre.

Match Centres and Scorecards