Pikky Ya France is back in the Namibian cricket team to play against Boland in the Cricket South Africa competition, starting at the United field on Thursday morning.
Ya France had earlier withdrawn from the Namibian squad following differences with the selectors, but he has since expressed his desire to return to the team and has now been selected again.
Ya France’s inclusion is the only change to the team that beat Kwazulu Natal by an innings and 92 runs last weekend.
Raymond van Schoor will captain the team for the three day match while Sarel Burger will captain the team for Sunday’s one-day 50-over match.
JB Burger, who was recalled after a long absence made a good start against Kwazulu Natal last week scoring 40 in the first innings and has been retained.
Namibia have had mixed fortunes after their opening two matches in the series so far.
In the CSA three-day competition, Namibia lost their opening match against Kwaziulu Natal Inland a fortnight ago but last week struck back in great style when they beat Kwazulu Natal by an innings and 94 runs in Windhoek.
On that occasion most of Namibia’s batsmen contributed to a first innings score of 256 all out, but it was the bowlers who set up the victory as they dismissed the visitors for 80 and 78 in their two innings.
Christi Viljoen led the way with six wickets for 51 runs, but Brandon Viret (5/34), Raymond van Schoor (4/24) and 17-year-old Tiaan Snyman (4/43) all contributed to the team’s success.
It was Kwazulu Natal’s first defeat of the season, but they still lead the log on 41,14 points after three matches, while Namibia have now moved up to fifth position on 21,04 matches.
Their opponents on Thursday, Boland, have won one and lost one of their opening two matches and are currently fourth on the log on 23,34 points.
Namibia have however lost both their matches in the CSA 50-over competition and are bottom of the 14-team log in this competition.
Boland also dont have a very good record having lost their opening two matches and are second last on the log.
The three-day match starts at 10h00 while Sunday’s match starts at 09h30.
The Namibian team is as follows:
Xander Pitchers, JB Burger, Pikky Ya France, Stephen Baard, JP Kotze, Raymond van Schoor, Michau du Preez, Nicolaas Scholtz, Christi Viljoen, Brandon Viret, Shalako Groenewald, Tiaan Snyman, Mika Mutumbe, Zhivago Groenewald and Zane Green.
