West Indies' task become more difficult after Belfast washout

West Indies' challenge of qualifying direct for the ICC World Cup 2019 became more difficult after its match against Ireland in Belfast was abandoned due to rain on Wednesday.

They will now have to either win all its matches of an upcoming five-match series against England from September 19 to 29 or win 4-0 with either a tie or a no-result in the remaining match in order to qualify ahead of eighth-placed Sri Lanka, which is eight points ahead with 86 points on the points table.

The Windies needed to win against Ireland and then also defeat England in the last four matches of their series but that equation has changed and now it can't also afford to lose the opening match in Old Trafford on September 19.

The top seven ODI sides apart from host England as on September 30 qualify direct for ICC's pinnacle 50-over event, which will take place from May 30 to July 15 in the United Kingdom.

The bottom four sides on the ICC ODI Team Rankings will need to play a Qualifying event also featuring the top four sides from the ICC World Cricket League Championship and the top two sides from the ICC World Cricket League Division 2.

The top two teams from this Qualifying event will then advance to play in the ICC World Cup 2019.