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Eddie Chikamhi Senior Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE have been invited by Namibia to send an emerging cricket side that is expected to help the Southern African neighbours with their preparations for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
Cricket Namibia announced on their website that they are looking to play three T20s and as many One Dayers at the Wanderers Cricket Ground. The Namibians have since named their squad for the tour which is expected to kick off this Saturday in Windhoek.
“Cricket Namibia is pleased to announce the fourth Castle Lite series to be hosted in the Land of Brave. Eagles will be facing neighbouring Zimbabwe Emerging team in a six-match tournament, three T20’s and three 50 Over games, at the Wanderers cricket ground.
“The Castle Lite series between the Eagles and Zimbabwe is part of our team’s T20 World Cup preparation. The World Cup is just 68 days away and the Eagles are using every opportunity to ensure they are ready to compete in UAE,” said Cricket Namibia in a statement.
The Namibians are set to be part of the 16-team jamboree to be hosted in United Arab Emirates and Oman while Zimbabwe missed the event as they could not take part in the qualifiers due to an ICC suspension.
The Namibian national men’s head coach, Pierre de Bruyn is delighted to have this series as part of the preparation and build up to the T20 World Cup.
“I feel that the timing of these matches is crucial to allow the players to prepare their roles as well as to compete for a place in the World Cup squad.
“In T20 Cricket, it is the intensity of the format that will test you and put you under pressure, the more you practice and experience the level of intensity, the better for the player.
“This is also a great opportunity to give the whole squad game time to create a healthy competitive environment,” he said.
Cricket Namibia CEO Johan Muller said it is an exciting prospect for Namibia to host a competitive Emerging Zimbabwean team.
“Attracting international teams to participate on our home soil is part of our long term strategy to grow the game through exposure.
“We are fortunate to announce this tour after a period when Namibia was seriously affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. Our team’s preparations were hampered in the recent six weeks, but hopefully we can get some momentum back. We thank Castle Lite for making this tour possible,” said Muller.
However, Zimbabwe Cricket have been silent on the invitation from Namibia. The tour has not yet been cleared by Government, under the country’s Covid-19 protocols.
The Sports Commission have only approved the national association to host the women’s series against Thailand next week and Ireland in October.
Namibia National Men’s squad:
Gerhard Merwe Erasmus (C), 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, Shaun Fouche, Michiel du Preez, Picky Ya France.
Management: Pierre de Bruyn (Head Coach), Albie Morkel (Assistant Coach)
Online Reporter