The Namibia cricket team recently defeated Sri Lanka in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2022 Qualifiers. This is their first victory against a top-10-ranked team and a nation that has dominated cricket at one point in time. In fact, Sri Lanka is the reigning Asia Cup Champions which shows how significant this victory was for Namibia and definitely a moment of greatness in their team’s cricketing history.
Namibia is steadily getting better day by day. Their players have started to blossom thanks to the hard work they have put in and the leagues all around the world which have given them an opportunity to develop their talent by playing side by side with great cricketers. David Wiese is one man that many around the globe would know. He is a Namibian player who has played in leagues all around the world. His experience is now helping the Namibia cricket team establish their authority at the biggest stage.
Namibia can actually qualify for the T20 World Cup due to their heavyweight victory against Sri Lanka. Their net run rate is the best among all the teams in their group and one more victory will pave the way for them to play in the T20 World Cup.
How Namibia has Improved Over the Years:
The Namibia cricket team came into recognition in 1992 when it was declared one of the associate cricket teams by the ICC. Their first success came in 2001 when they finished second in the ICC Trophy and qualified for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2003. They participated in the tournament but failed to register any wins.
After that Namibia cricket team slipped into oblivion before it made a resurgence at the 2019 WCL Division Two tournament to secure ODI status and qualify for the 2019–2023 ICC Cricket World Cup League 2. They finished fourth at the 2019 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Qualifier to qualify for the 2021 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. The Namibia cricket team then defeated Netherlands and Ireland in the T20 World Cup 2021 to register their first and second victory at an ICC World Cup.
Players who have played a significant role in Namibia’s comeback in international cricket:
Jan Frylinck, JJ Smit, Craig Williams, Gerhard Erasmus and Bernard Scholtz are a few of the players who have made an immense contribution to Namibia’s resurgence in world cricket.
Jan Frylinck is an all-rounder who is the fourth-highest scorer for the team in ODIs and the highest wicket-taker as well. In T20Is too he is the highest wicket-taker for his team. JJ Smit is also an all-rounder. He is the second-highest scorer for the team in ODIs and the third-highest wicket-taker. In T20Is he is the fourth-highest scorer and third-highest wicket-taker for his side.
Gerhard Erasmus is the highest scorer for Namibia in both ODIs and T20Is. Craig Williams is the third-highest scorer in ODIs and the second-highest scorer in T20Is for the team. Lastly, Bernard Scholtz is the second-highest wicket-taker for the side in both T20Is and ODIs.
The contribution of these five players is much more significant than others but the team is improving overall with their inspiring performances.