Ireland secure place at T20 World Cup place after Germany washout guarantees qualification
- Planet Sport writer
- 27 July 2023
The Irish didn't have to bowl a single ball to guarantee their place after the weather intervened in their Europe Region Qualifier.
Ireland's place at next year's T20 World Cup is guaranteed without them needing to step on to the field as their Europe Region Qualifier against Germany was abandoned without a ball bowled.
Having beaten Italy, Denmark, Austria, and Jersey in their previous four matches, Ireland needed only to avoid defeat to make sure of a spot in the West Indies and United States next summer.
Overnight rain at Edinburgh's Goldenacre Sports Ground led to a cancellation on Thursday morning and the point was all Ireland required to guarantee a top-two spot in the Regional Final group.
"While it's true that we'd rather have achieved qualification on the field, we're delighted to have achieved our primary objective of qualifying for next year's T20 World Cup," said Ireland captain Paul Stirling.
"We came to Scotland with a clear plan and style of play we wanted to implement and I think we delivered on that front."
Ireland - who reached the Super 12 stage in last year's T20 World Cup, where they beat eventual champions England - face Scotland in their final qualifier on Friday to determine the winner of the tournament outright.
"We'll celebrate job done this afternoon, but there is a trophy on the line," added Stirling, who was part of the Ireland side that missed out on qualification for this year's 50-over World Cup.
"We are keen to continue that winning momentum going into (a three-match T20 series against) India next month."
Scotland thrash Denmark to join Ireland
Later in the day, Scotland also booked their ticket to next year's T20 World Cup as captain Richie Berrington's belligerent 60 off 32 balls helped to secure victory over Denmark.
Berrington cleared the boundary rope four times to go with four fours as he underpinned Scotland's 159 for seven in a contest first delayed and then reduced to 18 overs apiece because of rain in Edinburgh.
The total was ample as Bradley Currie's three for 18 restricted Denmark to 126 for seven, with Scotland claiming a 33-run win to join Ireland in guaranteeing a top-two spot in their Regional Final group.
Ireland earlier qualified for the tournament in the West Indies and the United States next summer after their penultimate group fixture in the Scottish capital was abandoned without a ball bowled.
Scotland have leapfrogged Ireland in the seven-team standings and the teams will take on each other on Friday to determine who wins the tournament outright.
"While it's true that we'd rather have achieved qualification on the field, we're delighted to have achieved our primary objective of qualifying for next year's T20 World Cup," said Ireland captain Paul Stirling.
"We came to Scotland with a clear plan and style of play we wanted to implement and I think we delivered on that front."
Ireland reached the Super 12 stage in last year's T20 World Cup, where they beat eventual champions England.
"We'll celebrate job done this afternoon, but there is a trophy on the line," added Stirling, who was part of the Ireland side that missed out on qualification for this year's 50-over World Cup.
"We are keen to continue that winning momentum going into (a three-match T20 series against) India next month."
