Cricketers return to action

NAMIBIA’S senior cricket team has a busy schedule lying ahead of them with the first matches of the season to start at the end of this week in Zimbabwe.

The team is expected to play at least 20 matches against different countries after being in recess for at least two months now. The team’s tour kicks off in Zimbabwe on Monday with three day matches lined-up against Zimbabwe’s A side in that country.The three day matches will all be played in Harare on January 12,13 and 14, with three one day matches to follow on January 16, 18 and 20 against the same side.On January 22, Namibia will play against a Zimbabwean Under 19 side in a one-day match, before they engage Zimbabwe A in their last match on January 24.Namibia Cricket Board (NCB) Director of Communications, Carol Kotze, told The Namibian Sport yesterday that the matches in Zimbabwe will serve as preparation for the Six Nations tournament due in Dubai from February 29 until March 6.But before that tournament, Namibia will host Bangladesh in Windhoek for three one day matches which will be played January 31 and on February 2 and 4.There will also be further three day matches between the two countries on February 6, 7 and 8 as preparation for the Dubai event.Kotze said the International Cricket Council (ICC) has resolved that developing nations such as Namibia play against test playing sides such as Bangladesh, as part of its development programme which aims to give them (smaller nations), an opportunity to be more competitive.The NCB has already announced the squad which will tour Zimbabwe and it includes youngsters such as under 19 captain Hugo Ludik, Michael Durand and ST Ackermann.The rest of the players except Kolla Burger and Rudie Scholtz played at the 2003 Cricket World Cup in South Africa and have experience at the highest level.Ludik and Ackermann were two of the star players for Namibia during the under 19 World Cup qualifying tournament held in Namibia late last year.Scholtz who studies at the University of Free State in South Africa, has mainly been used in three day matches for the senior side, while Burger also entered the senior ranks from the under 19 side.The anchors in the batting department for Namibia, will be the reliable Danie Keulder, the prolific Jan Berrie Burger, charismatic captain Deon Kotze and the stable Riaan Walters.The notable absentees are Gavin Murgatroyd, Sarel and Luis Burger who wont be available due to other commitments.Kotze said the team that wins in Dubai will play in the Champions Trophy which will be contested in England.At this event, all the top test playing nations will be in action with only one team from the developing nations, which in this case will emerge from the Dubai tournament.The team’s tour kicks off in Zimbabwe on Monday with three day matches lined-up against Zimbabwe’s A side in that country. The three day matches will all be played in Harare on January 12,13 and 14, with three one day matches to follow on January 16, 18 and 20 against the same side. On January 22, Namibia will play against a Zimbabwean Under 19 side in a one-day match, before they engage Zimbabwe A in their last match on January 24. Namibia Cricket Board (NCB) Director of Communications, Carol Kotze, told The Namibian Sport yesterday that the matches in Zimbabwe will serve as preparation for the Six Nations tournament due in Dubai from February 29 until March 6. But before that tournament, Namibia will host Bangladesh in Windhoek for three one day matches which will be played January 31 and on February 2 and 4. There will also be further three day matches between the two countries on February 6, 7 and 8 as preparation for the Dubai event. Kotze said the International Cricket Council (ICC) has resolved that developing nations such as Namibia play against test playing sides such as Bangladesh, as part of its development programme which aims to give them (smaller nations), an opportunity to be more competitive. The NCB has already announced the squad which will tour Zimbabwe and it includes youngsters such as under 19 captain Hugo Ludik, Michael Durand and ST Ackermann. The rest of the players except Kolla Burger and Rudie Scholtz played at the 2003 Cricket World Cup in South Africa and have experience at the highest level. Ludik and Ackermann were two of the star players for Namibia during the under 19 World Cup qualifying tournament held in Namibia late last year. Scholtz who studies at the University of Free State in South Africa, has mainly been used in three day matches for the senior side, while Burger also entered the senior ranks from the under 19 side. The anchors in the batting department for Namibia, will be the reliable Danie Keulder, the prolific Jan Berrie Burger, charismatic captain Deon Kotze and the stable Riaan Walters. The notable absentees are Gavin Murgatroyd, Sarel and Luis Burger who wont be available due to other commitments. Kotze said the team that wins in Dubai will play in the Champions Trophy which will be contested in England. At this event, all the top test playing nations will be in action with only one team from the developing nations, which in this case will emerge from the Dubai tournament.