Lack of consistent run angers Holder

Jason Holder rued an inconsistent West Indies performance as defeat to England ended their hopes of automatic qualification for the 2019 cricket World Cup.

After their ODI with Ireland was washed out earlier this month, the Windies needed either a 4-0 or 5-0 victory over England. So their seven-wicket defeat at on Tuesday handed Sri Lanka the final guaranteed place.

It was an extra disappointment for skipper Holder after a lessthan impressive display, their batsmen struggling to keep the scoreboard ticking over while the bowlers failed to stifle England’s reply. West Indies could only manage 204-9 from their 42 overs — the match reduced after a twohour delay due to a wet outfield — with Holder adding an 41.

“We didn’t bowl as well as we thought we should,” said Jason Holder. “We were really inconsistent with our lengths and line and leaked boundaries.

“We got a bit stuck in the middle because we weren’t rotating the strike and that’s an area we really need to improve on.”

“We knew it was always going to be a tough ask,” said West Indies batting coach Toby Radford after a convincing loss.

“But we are very positive as a group and we are trying to develop in all formats, so every game that comes now we will be positive and if that means qualifiers next year, it’s qualifiers next year and we’ll build our way back.”

West Indies, who won the first two World Cups in 1975 and 1979, could still take part in the main 10-team 2019 tournament if they are one of the top two sides in next year’s qualifying competition.

WI NEEDED EITHER A 40 OR 50 VICTORY OVER ENGLAND, SO THEIR DEFEAT AT MANCHESTER HANDS SRI LANKA THE FINAL PLACE.