If This Happens...If That Happens

Tue, Feb 25, '03

The World Cup's Pool 'B', which was already rife with plenty of possibilities just got a few more.

Assuming that Kenya beat Bangladesh, and the minnows cause no further upsets, the results of two more matches ? Sri Lanka v West Indies on February 28, and South Africa v Sri Lanka on March 3 ? will decide which teams progress to the Super Six.

South Africa, Sri Lanka, New Zealand and Kenya will be tied at 16 points each. South Africa and Kenya will progress, on the basis of having beaten two of the three other teams. Net run rate will decide which of New Zealand or Sri Lanka qualify.

Scenario 2: Sri Lanka lose to West Indies and beat South Africa
West Indies will be the clear leader in the group with 18 points, leaving Sri Lanka, New Zealand and Kenya tied on 16 points each. Sri Lanka and Kenya will qualify, as New Zealand have lost to both those teams.

Scenario 3: Sri Lanka beat both West Indies and South Africa
Sri Lanka (20 points), Kenya (16) and New Zealand (16) qualify, and Kenya will go into the Super Six carrying forward the highest number of points.

Scenario 4: Sri Lanka lose to West Indies and South Africa
West Indies will top the group with 18 points, with South Africa, New Zealand and Kenya tied at 16. With one win for each team against the other two, the net run rate will come into play.

All this, assuming, of course, that the weather plays no further part in the rest of these matches.