Eagles close in on world’s T20 top ten
Cricket
Namibia has reached another historic high and has overtaken Zimbabwe on the rankings.
Namibia’s Richelieu Eagles (11th) have reached another historic high and are now the highest-ranked side in T20 international among ICC associate nations – even above full members like Ireland (12) and Zimbabwe (13).Both Namibia and Ireland have surpassed Zimbabwe in the latest rankings, following the latter’s failure to qualify for the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup to be co-hosted by USA and West Indies during June.
Namibia have been so good over the last few years that their progress to the ICC T20 World Cup is no longer seen as a surprise.
At the T20 World Cup last year, they delivered a clinical bowling and fielding performance to sensationally beat Sri Lanka, who came into the tournament fresh from their Asia Cup triumph.
The Eagles could very well knock a few more over as well in the coming year, predicts cricket.com.
“There are so many men behind the Eagles’ success, including their head coach Pierre de Bruyn and consultants such as Albie Morkel and Justin Kemp.
But they are indeed blessed to have a terrific all-round cricketer like Gerhard Erasmus, who has led the side with distinction. Erasmus is rated highly as captain by his peers and also stepped up to the plate as the team’s leading run-getter in T20Is and ODIs.
“The experience of David Wiese has also been pivotal. The likes of Jan Frylinck and JJ Smit, too, have grown in stature and have, on more than one occasion, given match-winning contributions.
“Namibia, as a result, have shown that they have potential match-winners from No. 1 to 11 and are not dependent on just one or two more players.”
Right-arm pace bowler Ben Shikongo’s two wickets in two balls in the World Cup win over Sri Lanka was an example of the growing player depth and non-regular starters also putting their hands up on the biggest stage.
Cricket.com points out that 2023 has shown that the gap between the associate teams and the full members is narrower than ever.
“For the first time ever, the T20 World Cup in 2024 will have as many as 20 teams – nine of them will be teams from the associate world, which is indeed a welcome move.”
Current ICC T20 men’s world rankings: 1 India, 2 England, 3 New Zealand, 4 Pakistan, 5 Australia, 6 South Africa, 7 West Indies, 8 Sri Lanka, 9 Bangladesh, 10 Afghanistan, 11 Namibia, 12 Ireland, 13 Zimbabwe, 14 Scotland, 15 Netherlands, 16 Nepal, 17 UAE, 18 Oman, 19 PNG, 20 Canada, 21 Hong Kong, 22 Uganda, 23 USA, 24 Jersey, 25 Malaysia.
Veterans cricket
Cricket Namibia has confirmed that four teams will be participating in the Over 50s Africa Cup in Windhoek from 25-29 February 2024, namely Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania/Zanzibar and Zimbabwe.
In the Over 40 age group, Namibia will also be competing at the World Cup to be held in South Africa during March.