Namibia is set to host an exciting leg of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2 (CWCL2), with a tri-series scheduled to take place from the 5th – 15th of March 2025, at Wanderers Cricket Club in Windhoek. Namibia will welcome Canada and the Netherlands in what will be a crucial series as teams continue their journey towards qualification for the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, which will be co-hosted in Namibia.
A Tough Outing in Oman
The Eagles recently returned from Oman, where they competed in another CWCL2 tri-series against the hosts and the USA. It was a challenging tour for Namibia, as they managed just one win, defeating Oman by 23 runs. The USA finished at the top of the log in the series, suffering only one loss at the hands of Oman, who chased down their target with seven wickets in hand. Unfortunately, Namibia ended at the bottom of the table in Oman, an outcome they will be eager to turn around on home soil.
Current Standings and Namibia’s Position
As it stands, the USA leads the CWCL2 log table with the highest points, having played 16 ODI matches. Oman follows behind, also with 16 games played. Canada, with 12 ODIs under their belt, sits in third place, while the Netherlands, also on 12 games, is in fifth. Namibia, having played 16 games, currently occupies the sixth spot, while the UAE finds themselves at the bottom, having played just 11 matches. The upcoming home series presents an opportunity for the Eagles to climb the rankings and strengthen their position.
Namibia’s Bright Young Stars and Senior Leadership
Namibia showcases promising young talent, particularly in the bowling department. Jack Brassell and PD Blignaut have been a consistent selection in recent squads, while all-rounder Jan Izak de Villiers made his ODI debut not too long ago. JC Balt, who made his debut in Oman and played a crucial role in Namibia’s only victory against the host.
It was great to see JJ Smit with the ball after a break from bowling. The experienced duo of Gerhard Erasmus and Bernard Scholtz were outstanding with the ball, both claiming five-wicket hauls in the last tri-series in Oman. However, Namibia will be looking for improved performances from their batting lineup. With home conditions and local support, the Eagles will aim to deliver a much-improved batting display.
High Performance Players Gaining Experience in India
With the Namibian Eagles currently in Karnataka, India, for 50-over games, the team has the A-side playing against Karnataka. The squad in India features many of the top High Performance players. Zacheo van Vuuren, who won over many Namibian hearts at the 2024 ICC U19 World Cup, made the squad for India. Gerhard Janse van Rensburg, a quality player in the high performance setup, also traveled to Karnataka. Junior Kariata, a rising fast bowler, along with Addo Iita and Simon Shikongo, are part of the squad gaining valuable experience. With the upcoming series against Canada and the Netherlands, the Namibian team has been preparing well to put up quality competition.
Playing at Home
Playing at Wanderers Cricket Club, one of Namibia’s most loved cricket venues, presents a perfect opportunity for the Eagles to bounce back. The home crowd will be eager to see their team rise to the occasion, playing for both national pride and for points on the League 2 table. The series will be a key moment in Namibia’s campaign, and a strong performance could be the momentum shift needed for Namibia.
Fans can expect quality cricket and a fighting spirit from the Eagles as they take on Canada and the Netherlands in this highly anticipated series.
