Cricket Namibia (CN) have announced that the men’s national squad will be facing the South African Emerging team in a six-match tournament, three T20’s and three 50-Over games in the Castle Lite series, at the Wanderers cricket ground from April 23rd – 01st May 2021.
The series follows the recently concluded T20I and 50-overs series that CN hosted at the same venue against the visiting Uganda men’s national squad in April 2021. The series will definitely give head coach Pierre de Bruyn the opportunity to fine-tune aspects of batting, bowling, fielding, physical and mental wellness among the players in the squad, as Namibia builds up for Men’s T20 World Cup and CWC League 2 engagements.
The Namibia National Men’s Head coach, Pierre de Bruyn stated in the press release “Having the opportunity to host the SA Emerging team is not only the first time in many years, but only a great chance for the Eagles to measure ourselves against a team from a Test-playing nation.”
“These Emerging players are the next crop of players to represent the Proteas in the future. For the Eagles, we are excited for the challenge and we will build and compete with confidence and Pride. The Eagles showed a lot of character and courage during the Uganda series and we will build on that.”
The series will test the skills of Namibian players and the likes of Gerhard Erasmus, JJ Smit, Jan Frylinck, Stephen Baard and Craig Williams will be expected to perform at their best, with definite focus on Ruben Trumpelmann, who impressed everyone during the recently concluded series against Uganda. However, while Stephan Baard will miss the T20 matches due to his wedding on 24th April, wicket-keeper and opening bat Zane Green has recovered from his heel injury and will be expected to play in the matches.
Namibia National Men’s Squad
Gerhard Erasmus (Captain), Tangeni Lungameni, JP Kotze, Maurituis Ngupita, JJ Smit, Jan Frylinck, Karl Birkenstock, Ben Shikongo, Bernard Scholtz, Nicol Loftie-Eaton, Craig Williams, Michael van Lingen, Stephen Baard, Dewald Nell, Ruben Trumpelmann, Zane Green and Shaun Fouche
South Africa Emerging Squad
Stefan Tait, Thando Ntini, Grant Roelofsen, Joshua Richards, Jonathan Bird, Jason Smith, Tshepo Ntuli, Kabelo Sekhukhune, Lifa Ntanzi, Matthew Breetzke, Dayyaan Galiem, Bryce Parsons, Sinethemba Qeshile, Wandile Makwetu, Gregory Mahlokwana and Delano Potgieter
Namibia v SA Emerging Tour Fixtures (Local Timings)
23rd April: 1st T20 @1pm (Scorecard)
24th April: 2nd T20 @1pm (Scorecard)
25th April: 3rd T20 @1pm (Scorecard)
27th April: 1st OD50 @10am (Scorecard)
29th April: 2nd OD50 @10am (Scorecard)
01st May: 3rd OD50 @10am (Scorecard)
