Coetzer laments poor decisions after World Cup qualifier heartbreak

Scotland miss out on place in mega event after five-run defeat against West Indies through DLS method

HARARE: Scotland captain Kyle Coetzer was left to rue a controversial lbw decision as his side narrowly missed out on a World Cup place with defeat by the West Indies on Wednesday.

Scotland lost by five runs on the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method after rain arrived in Harare with them 125 for five chasing 199 to win.

The West Indies secured the penultimate spot for the 2019 World Cup, with Scotland knocked out of contention.

Richie Berrington was given out lbw for 33 to a delivery from off-spinner Ashley Nurse which clearly seemed to be missing leg stump.

With the ICC opting not to provide DRS for the qualifiers, that wicket left Scotland behind the par DLS score when the match was called off with 14.4 overs remaining.

"Clearly that lbw decision is not sitting very well with us right now," said Coetzer. "It's not the first one in this tournament. In a competition like this, it comes down to a big game like that. Two critical moments in two critical games have potentially cost us. So we're not feeling too flash right now."

Scotland opted to bowl first and were given a major boost by the first-ball dismissal of star batsman Chris Gayle, caught behind for a golden duck off the bowling of Safyaan Sharif.

Sharif struck again in his second over to leave West Indies reeling at 2 for 2, but a 121-run partnership between Evin Lewis and Marlon Samuels helped to steady the innings.

"Our boys bowled extremely well up front and picked up early wickets," said Coetzer. "Credit to the two West Indian batsmen who came in and played brilliantly to see them through that rough period."

Former Scotland captains Craig Wright and Preston Mommsen lashed out at the ICC after the match on Twitter, highlighting the decision to cut the 2019 World Cup to only 10 teams.

"Feel absolutely sick for everyone @CricketScotland, players, support staff, administration & supporters," wrote Wright. "It's all been said before, but this tournament has highlighted (again) so much that is wrong with the management, structure & priorities of world cricket @ICC #notgoodenough”.

Mommsen pointed out the ICC's 'value' of "commitment to the global game", saying: "@ICC I think you need to re-address your 'values' below, particularly your final point. Your actions as a governing body are so misaligned with this it's frightening."