Namibia’s senior national cricket team will kick off the year with One Day International (ODI) matches against Oman and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Dubai from 04 to 14 March.
A media release availed to Nampa by Cricket Namibia on Tuesday said the Eagles will play three matches against Oman and two against UAE.
These matches are part of the International Cricket Council (ICC) World Cup League 2.
“It is important for the Eagles to finish the league in a good position to retain ODI status for Namibia. This upcoming tournament is important for the Eagles to work towards retaining ODI status. The conditions at the ICC Academy Oval and at Sharjah Cricket Ground are tricky, but we had the opportunity to play at these venues at the recently held World Cup,” the team’s head coach, Pierre de Bruyn said in the statement.
The coach also revealed the squad he will be taking to Dubai on Thursday, with most of the World Cup heroes retaining their positions.
The squad is as follows:
Gerhard Erasmus (captain), JJ Smit (vice-captain), Jan Frylinck, Karl Birkenstock, Tangeni Lungameni, Bernard Scholtz, Nicol Loftie-Eaton, Craig Williams, Michael van Lingen, Stephen Baard, Ruben Trumpelmann, Zane Green (wicket keeper), David Wiese and Helao Ya France.
Management: Pierre de Bruyn (head coach), Justin Kemp (assistant coach), Riaan Minnie (analyst) and Kara Scheepers (physio).
Fixtures:
06 March – Eagles v Oman, ICC Oval 1
08 March – Eagles v UAE, ICC Oval 1
11 March – Eagles v Oman, Sharjah Cricket Ground
12 March – Eagles v UAE, Sharjah Cricket Ground
14 March – Eagles v Oman, Dubai International Stadium
Source: The Namibian Press Agency