Namibia captain Gerhard Erasmus has his sights set on the future after claiming the 2024 International Cricket Council (ICC) men’s associate cricketer of the year prize.
This is the consistent all-rounder’s second second win, following another exceptional performance for the Eagles last year.
He first took home the prestigious international award in 2022 after amassing nearly 1 000 One Day International (ODI) runs during 2021, a feat considered more impressive as just eight of his 20 innings were in home conditions.
“I’m delighted to have received the ICC men’s associate cricketer of the year award. I would like to thank my teammates, my coaching staff and my family, who have been behind me in making 2024 special,” Erasmus told the ICC.
Erasmus showed impressive consistency throughout the year in both ODI and T20 International cricket, scoring eight half-centuries and frequently delivering in the Namibia middle order with the bat.
The 29-year-old was also a constant threat with his steady off-breaks, starting the year with a five-for against Nepal in Kirtipur and picking up important wickets throughout 2024.
He performed admirably on an individual level for Namibia at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, scoring a quality half-century against Scotland and lighting up the super over in his team’s solitary win against Oman.
And Erasmus showed his ability to mix it against the highest level of opponents when he held his own in a heavy defeat to Australia. The skipper was one of only two Namibia players to reach double figures, and his 36 from 43 balls was far and away the leading effort with the bat as his team posted 72 in 17 overs.
“That super over was a special moment for us; doing it with one of my best mates, David Wiese, with the bat and then seeing him finish it off with the ball,” said Erasmus.
“It was such a thriller and on the biggest stage [it] was certainly one of the moments up there in my career.”
MEMORABLE PERFORMANCE
Erasmus’ record in 2024 is 727 runs and 36 wickets in 25 matches. He ended 2024 with near identical records in ODIs and T20Is.
In the 50-over game he scored 364 runs at an average of 33.09 and took 18 wickets at 22.38 in his 12 matches.
And in T20 Internationals, Erasmus ended 2024 with 363 runs at an average of 33.00 and took 18 wickets at 13.61 in 13 matches.
Erasmus was the top performer with both bat and ball when Namibia took on Scotland in a crunch Group B fixture at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
He slammed a superb 31-ball 52 to top score in the first innings, helping his side reach a competitive total of 155/9.
And with the ball, he was excellent, removing two of Scotland’s top three to bag individual figures of 2/29 from his four overs.
Scotland ultimately pulled off a win on the day, but the Namibia captain could scarcely have done more for his team.
“I think I’ve certainly evolved in terms of my bowling skill, I’ve had more opportunities to bowl with the Namibian team and some of the other teams I’ve played for,” Erasmus said of his improvements.
“I would like to score a few more hundreds for Namibia. The main goal for the team is to rack up points in the division. Hopefully, we can get upwards of six to eight wins this year.”
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