NAMIBIA’S packed cricket schedule continues today when they start their second Tri-Nations series against Scotland at the United field.
The Eagles last week completed a highly successful first series when they won three out of their four matches against the USA and PNG and will be hoping to take that momentum into their second series against Scotland and Nepal.
“We can take a lot of positives from our first Tr-Nations series, especially with how we finished off with a very clinical performance against the USA in our last match,” Eagles coach Pierre de Bruyn said yesterday.
“Those were two crucial points that we picked up, and winning three matches out of four was a great result, so now we need to maintain that momentum,” he added.
Following Namibia’s haul of six points against the USA and PNG they are now fourth on the Cricket World Cup League 2 log, while they still have numerous matches in hand on the leaders.
Log leaders Oman on 44 points and third-placed USA on 35 points have both completed their 36 matches, but Namibia who are on 32 points, have only played 26 matches, and with a maximum 20 points still up for grabs, they could even still win the series. For now though, a top-three place is their immediate aim as it will secure passage to the final round of qualifiers for the 2023 World Cup.
Scotland are also well-placed in the series and are currently second on the log on 40 points from 28 matches.
“Scotland are a very disciplined and well-organised team. They always provide a good match for us, but we must use our home ground to our advantage and at least we have had a lot of game time, while they are coming here from their European winter,” De Bruyn said.
Scotland hold the upper hand over Namibia in recent matches after winning both their last two encounters in Glasgow in July.
On 10 July, Scotland won by 77 runs, when they scored 258/6 and then dismissed Namibia for 181. Calum MacLeod (50) and George Munsey (71 not out) were their stand-out batsmen, while pace bowler Safyaan Sharif took 5/35 off nine overs.
Their return match a week later was much closer, with Namibia scoring 215/7 (Gerhard Erasmus 56, Jan Frylinck 60 not out), while Scotland replied with 219/7 (MacLeod 59, Chris Greaves 53 not out).
De Bruyn said they had a score to settle with Scotland.
“We lost both our matches against them in July, but it was close, it just slipped away from us, so we definitely owe them one,” he said.
Tomorrow, Namibia take on Nepal, who are second last on the log on 17 points. They, however, have only played 20 matches and with 16 matches still in hand can still make a significant move up the log, and De Bruyn is certainly not underestimating them.
“Nepal are always dangerous – they play fearless cricket, and we can’t afford to fall asleep for one minute against them. They are missing their star leg spinner Sandeep Lamichane, but they will still field a strong side,” he said.
Namibia, however, suffered a blow when star all-rounder Jan Frylinck was ruled out of the series due to an ankle injury.
“Jan unfortunately got an ankle injury, he tore his ligaments and needs surgery. It’s a big blow for us because he bowled a lot and he epitomised our fighting spirit, but it will give other players like Karl Birkenstock, Pikky Ya France or Shaun Fouche more opportunities,” De Bruyn said.
