Namibia will start their first One Day International match on Sunday at the United Cricket Grounds in Windhoek at 09h30.

Kotze told The Namibian yesterday that although his side's preparations were not ideal since most players did not arrive in time from their clubs abroad, he was confident they would put up a good performance.

"Judging from the practice sessions we had in the past week, I am pretty confident that we will pull it through by recording some wins.

But we should not take anything away from Zim as they normally play good, hard cricket," he said.

The Zimbabwean side, which boasts some top players such as Brian Murphy, Stuart Matsikenyeri, Trevor Gripper and Charles Coventry, were expected to arrive late yesterday.

Kotze said players in the 16-man Namibian squad will each be given a chance in the nine matches.

"We will try to give each player a fair chance and we will only announce the line-ups either a day before or on the day of play," he said.

Batsman Riaan Walters and bowler Rudie van Vuuren will be the only players that played in this year's Cricket World Cup who will not do duty this time.

Walters pulled-out due to personal reasons, while Van Vuuren is training with the national side ahead of the Rugby World Cup which is due in Australia in October.

Melt van Schoor who was previously ruled-out has now been included in the side.

The squad is as follows: Stefan Swanepoel, Marius van der Merwe, Jan Berrie Burger, Danie Keulder, Louis Burger, Deon Kotze, Sarel Burger, Bjorn Kotze, Hugo Ludik, Gerrie Snyman, Melt van Schoor, Morne Karg, Kola Burger, Burton van Rooi and Rudie Scholtz.

The selectors still have to name the 16th member of the squad.

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