Namibia is all set to make its first T20 World Cup appearance after they beat Oman in the playoffs of the qualifiers in Dubai in October 2019 to qualify for the main event. Namibia’s first match will be against Sri Lanka on October 18 before also facing Netherlands and Ireland in Group A of the first round. Two teams from each group in the first round will qualify for the Super-12 stage.
Namibia will be led by Gerard Erasmus. Unfortunately, the team will be without opener JP Kotze and spinner Zhivago Groenewald, who have retired from international cricket since the World Cup Qualifier in 2019.
Former South Africa All-rounder set to play for Namibia
Former South Africa allrounder David Wiese has been included in Namibia’s squad for this year’s T20 World Cup. Since Wiese’s father was born in Namibia, he qualified by descent. This will be Wiese’s second T20 World Cup, five years after his first, for South Africa.
Wiese was an imposing allrounder, with the skills to take pace off the ball and a strong lofted drive, Wiese was a late bloomer who came to prominence in the shorter formats. He began his career at Easterns and in 2005 established himself as a regular at the provincial union and the Titans franchise.
As Jacques Kallis’ career came close to an end and South Africa needed to search for other options, Wiese came into contention. He was taken on the 2013 tour of Sri Lanka and played in the three T20Is, but modest returns sent him back to the domestic system.
Wiese last played an international match in 2016 before signing a Kolpak deal with Sussex in 2017. He has picked up 24 wickets, with a best of 5 for 23, in 20 T20Is. Namibia also have South Africa-born Pierre de Bruyn (head coach) and Albie Morkel as part of their management team. Morkel was part of 2010, 2012, and 2014 World T20 squads; the last of those tournaments seemed to spell the end of his international career.
Namibia Squad
Gerhard Erasmus (capt), Stephan Baard, Karl Birkenstock, Michau du Preez, Jan Frylinck, Zane Green, Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton, Bernard Scholtz, Ben Shikongo, JJ Smit, Ruben Trumpelmann, Michael van Lingen, David Wiese, Craig Williams, Pikky Ya France
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