How did that happen? The great fall of West Indies cricket explained

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

West Indies will not be part of the ODI World Cup for the first time in the history of the tournament after being eliminated from the Qualifiers — a result that plunged country's cricket to an unimaginable low, on Saturday. Coming into the do-or-die Super Six contest, West Indies, packed with some bona-fide T20 superstars, suffered an embarrassing seven-wicket defeat against Scotland after managing a modest 181 in 43.5 overs. It was an impressive show by the Scots, especially by all-rouder Brandon McMullen, who first took three wickets, and then scored a patient 69 off 106 balls to steer his side to a famous victory.

Such was the West Indies' plight that the top score was a painstaking 45 off 79 balls by Jason Holder. Scotland chased own the target in just 43.3 overs, ensuring that West Indies won't compete in the ODI World Cup for the first time since the inception of the tournament in 1975. The World Cup is set begin in India on October 5 across 10 venues.

This was also Scotland's first victory over the West Indies. Clive Lloyd's team had won the first two editions in 1975 and 1979 and played the 1983 final, where it was beaten by India. Matthew Cross (74 not out off 107 balls) anchored the chase perfectly and it always seemed one team would win and that certainly wasn't the West Indies.

With two more matches left, even if West Indies win, they can reach up to four points while Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe already have six points in their three games. Scotland with this win are on four points and would reckon that an upset can help them sneak into the tournament-proper. West Indies appears to be the final nail in the coffin for a cricket team that has been on a terminal decline for the past two decades.