South Africa's WC qualification reinvigorated as ICC updates Super League standings

South Africa defeated England in the second ODI [Source: AP]

On Sunday, South Africa annihilated England by five wickets in a high-scoring affair to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. 

Batting first, England posted a massive total of 342 runs on the board, riding on spectacular half-centuries from Harry Brook, Jos Buttler and Moeen Ali. 

However, the score proved to be a little too less for South Africa, who chased it successfully, courtesy of an exquisite collective batting brilliance. 

Besides helping them clinch the series, the win significantly boosted South Africa's chances of directly qualifying for the upcoming ODI World Cup scheduled in India later this year. 

Notably, the Proteas took their tally to 79 points with this commanding victory. As a result, they need to win only one of their remaining three games to topple over West Indies, placed eighth in the Super League standings with 88 points. 

However, Sri Lanka, placed tenth with 77 points, seem to emerge as their biggest competitor for the only available slot for an automatic entry into the World Cup. 

If the Lankan Lions win all three of their remaining games, they will end up with 107 points. In that case, South Africa must win their last three fixtures to edge past the Lankans. 

But the challenge will be trickier for Sri Lanka, as they will battle it out against New Zealand. On the contrary, Temba Bavuma and co will fancy their chances, as they will face the Netherlands in a two-match home affair after the ongoing series against England. 

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