Namibia to host Zimbabwe in historic series

Namibia will host Zimbabwe in a historic five-match T20 series in Windhoek from 24 to 30 October. 

It will be the first time that Namibia, as an International Cricket Council associate member country, will host a test nation, and follows on Namibia’s historic 3-2 victory against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo last year. 

That was also the first time that Namibia had beaten a test nation in a T20 series, and the Richelieu Eagles’ steady progress has been underlined by the fact that they have now reached their highest T20 ranking of 13th in the world, just two places behind Zimbabwe. 

“The highly-anticipated Castle Lite series willset the stage for an electrifying tournament between the Eagles and the Chevrons, Zimbabwe’s national men’s team,” Cricket Namibia said in a press release yesterday. 

“From 24 to 30 October, cricket enthusiasts will shift their focus to these African giants as they play five T20 international matches in what promises to be edge-of-the-seat games at the Wanderers and United sport grounds,” it added. 

The series will also serve as preparation for the Africa T20 World Cup Qualifier that Namibia will host in November, where both countries will be in action amongst seven African nations that will battle it out for two places at the 2024 T20 World Cup that will be staged in the United States and the West Indies.

The first two matches of the series, on 24 and 25 October will be held at the Wanderers gound, while the final three (27, 29 and 30 October) will be held at the United ground. 

“Cricket Namibia invites the public to rally behind the Eagles and be part of this exciting event,” it said, adding that cricket fans outside the capital can follow the action via live streaming at https://oneafrica.com.na/sportsonone/cricket/ 

National coach Pierre de Bruyn still has to announce his squad for the series, but local players have been able to stake their claims in the T20 Premier League series which got underway over the weekend. 

Traditional powerhouses Wanderers and WHS Old Boys got off to impressive starts as they both posted comprehensive victories.

On Saturday, Wanderers beat Trustco United by 99 runs after posting 195 for two wickets and then restricting United to 96/7.

Niko Davin was the mainstay of Wanderers’ innings, scoring 105 not out off 62 balls (10×4, 4×6), while JJ Smit added 46 and JC Balt 36.

In United’s reply, only Darren van Wyk made a noteworthy contribution of 39, while JC Balt was the pick of Wanderers’ bowlers, taking four wickets for 12 runs.

The next day Wanderers cruised to a 44-run victory against CCD. 

Wanderers posted 140 for seven wickets, with JJ Smit scoring 36 and Nyasha Nyashazdaishe 25, while Helao Ya France took three wickets for 25 runs for CCD.

In reply CCD were restricted to 96/7, with Nicol Loftie-Eaton scoring 21, while Danie van Schoor took three wickets for 20 runs. 

Old Boys, meanwhile, got their campaign off with a 58-run victory against CCD on Saturday. 

Zane Green was their star batter, smashing 81 not out off only 36 balls (8×4, 5×6), while JP Kotze added 46 and Malan Kruger 36 as they reached a huge total of 214/3.

In reply, CCD fell well short of the target, reaching 156/8, with Joshuan Julius scoring 57 and Ya France 36, while Tangeni Lungameni took four wickets for 25 runs.

The next day, Old Boys romped to another comprehensive eight-wicket victory against United. 

United were restricted to 114/5, with Handre Klazinga scoring 33 and Hendrik van der Walt 28 not out, while Tangeni Lungameni took 2/20 and Zacheo Janse van Vuuren 2/15.

Old Boys reached 117/2 off only 11,1 overs, with Gerhard Erasmus scoring 49 not out and JP Kotze 32.