The International Cricket Council’s ODI team rankings has expanded to 16 teams after the governing body confirmed on Friday the additions of Scotland, Netherlands, Nepal and the United Arab Emirates.
The new teams join the 12 Test playing nations on the ODI list, which is headed by 2019 World Cup hots England.
Scotland starts in 13th spot with 28 points, one position higher than the UAE on 18. Netherlands (13 rating points) and Nepal (zero points) do not yet have an official ODI ranking, but will qualify for a full ranking once they each play four more matches.
The Dutch were awarded ODI status by winning the ICC World Cricket League Championship last year, while the other three nations gained ODI as the three leading Associates in the 2018 ICC World Cup Qualifier.
However, despite 16 teams now having an ODI ranking - or soon to be in the case of Netherlands and Nepal - only 10 teams will compete in next year’s 50-over World Cup.
Hosts England and the top-seven ranked sides at the September 2017 cut-off date were granted automatic qualification into the quadrennial showpiece.
A qualifying tournament was held in Zimbabwe in March where 10 teams - West Indies, Afghanistan, Zimbabwe, Ireland, UAE, Netherlands, Papua New Guinea, Scotland, Nepal and Hong Kong - competed for the final two World Cup spots.
After a pulsating tournament that had five teams capable of progression with only a handful of matches remaining, it was the Windies and Afghanistan who claimed the last two places, with the Afghans beating Jason Holder’s side in the competition final.
The 2019 World Cup starts in less than 12 months when England take on South Africa at The Oval.
Source: cricket.com.au