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Namibian squad for crucial Oman tour 

Gerhard Erasmus in action for Namibia. File photo

The Namibian cricket selectors have announced a 16-man squad to represent the Richelieu Eagles at the ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 tournament from 8 to 16 February in Oman where they will take on the hosts and the United States. 

Gerhard Erasmus, who has developed into a top internationall all-rounder, and is currently ranked 10th on the ICC’s T20 all-rounder rankings, captains a well-balanced side of youth and experience.

Erasmus, who is currently playing for the Gulf Giants in the DP World International League T20 tournament in the UAE, has been in fine form although he has only played two matches so far. 

On 18 January he was the man of the match as he steered his team to a six-wicket victory over the Dubai Capitals. 

In reply to the Capitals’ 165/7, Erasmus scored 50 not out off 34 balls (6×4, 1×6), sharing an unbroken 80-run partnership with Shimron Hetmeyer (41 not out) as they reached 168/4 with two overs to spare. 

The following day Erasmus was once again his team’s top scorer with 24 off 23 balls (1×4, 1×6) but it was in vain, as they suffered a 37-run defeat to the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders. 

The Giants have only won one match and lost three to date and are currently bottom of the log, but with the league now at the halfway stage they still have an outside chance of reaching the knockout stages. 

A big advantage for the Eagles is the return of their leading pace bowler Ruben Trumpelmann after a long injury layoff. 

A fit-again Trumpelmann will add a lot of firepower to the bowling attack that’s a bit short on experience. Jan Frylinck, JJ Smit, Ben Shikongo and top spinner Bernard Scholtz have all played at previous T20 World Cups before, but bowlers like Dylan Leicher, Jack Brassel, Shaun Fouche, Jan Izak de Villiers and PD Blignaut are a bit short on international experience. 

Amongst the batters, Erasmus will once again be Namibia’s main hope to score runs, but the absence of Michael van Lingen, who retired from international cricket last year due to workl commitments, is a big blow. 

He is Namibia’s top batter in the ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 tournament, and third overall, with 445 runs at an average of 37,08. 

Erasmus is Namibia’s next best batter in the series and seventh overall with 364 runs at an average of 33,09, while other experienced batters include JJ Smit (314 runs at an average of 39,25) and Jan Frylinck (275 runs at an average of 27,50).

Namibia have several other batters who can be match winners on their day, including the explosive Nicol Loftie-Eaton, JP Kotze and Zane Green, while other up-and-coming batters include JC Balt, Malan Kruger and Shaun Fouche, but they need to step up. 

Namibia have slipped down to sixth position on the log and will have to be at their best if they hope to get some points against two tough opponents. 

The United States are in top form, having moved to the top of the log on 12 points, while Oman are currently fifth just two points behind, and Namibia sixth on 10 points. 

With the top four teams in the tournament progressing to the final World Cup 2027 Qualifier, Namibia will need to get some victories under their belt to strengthen their chances. 

The Namibian squad is as follows:

Gerhard Erasmus (captain), JP Kotze, Malan Kruger, JC Balt, Nicol Loftie-Eaton, Jan Frylinck, JJ Smit, Shaun Fouche, Ruben Trumpelmann, Zane Green, Jan Izak de Villiers, Bernard Scholtz, Dylan Leicher, Ben Shikongo, PD Blignaut, Jack Brassell. 

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