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Int'l Cricket Council
20-03-2025
- Sport
- Int'l Cricket Council
New Cricket World Cup 2027 venue hosts thrilling first international fixture
A winning two off the final ball from Namibia wicket-keeper/batter Zane Green provided a fitting finish to the first international played at the FNB Namibia Cricket Ground in Windhoek, set to host ICC Men's Cricket World Cup action in 2027. After rain led to a false start on March 18, Namibia faced Canada in the capital as part of a T20I tri-series with The Netherlands, chasing down 146 in a 15-over affair a day later. Namibia v Canada, Scorecard Claiming a pair of early wickets after electing to bowl, Namibia were countered by quickfire knocks from Yuvraj Samra (37 off 18 balls) and Kanwarpal Tathgur (30 off 15) as the Canadians posted a score of 145/8. Despite the best efforts of Akhil Kumar (3/12 off four overs), Namibia ensured they kept up with the required rate in their reply, as Niko Davin (32 off 19 balls), Jan-Nicol Loftie-Eaton (36 off 21 balls) and JJ Smit (33 off 17) ensured victory was within Green's reach (21* from eight). A place noted for their hospitality, Namibia and their new ground readies to showcase their wares to the world, co-hosting the 2027 50-over global event alongside South Africa and Zimbabwe. Already fit for international action both inside the boundary rope and with facilities in place for players, officials and fans, the ground's planned amenities and stands will be set for completion in October, and will stand as a testament to Namibia's growing stature in the game as a high-achieving nation on the field, but also the embodiment of tireless work and passion off it. A virtual representation of the FNB Namibia Cricket Ground /// Cricket Namibia Namibian men's skipper Gerhard Erasmus, who was crowned ICC Men's Associate Cricketer of the Year 2024, feels immense pride. 'It's been such a journey, especially with the group of players and staff we've had now since 2019, and the field really feels like a flagpole in the ground and a legacy that maybe this group has created and left for cricket in Namibia,' Erasmus said. 'There's obviously plenty of people from the past to thank and plenty of those still work in and amongst Cricket Namibia. 'It just feels like such a dangling pot of gold that has come at the end of all the hard work, so in that sense, it's a very iconic and special sort of physical manifestation that has happened over the last year for us to build the stadium.' For the national governing body, it's a project that has been in the pipeline for some time, only made possible thanks to growth in the international game and increased public exposure, and commercial opportunities, assisting with the US $4M project. For Johan Muller, CEO of Cricket Namibia, it's an achievement only made possible from overachieving both on the field and in the boardroom. 'The journey to developing Namibia's new international cricket stadium has been a meticulously planned process, aligning with our vision of positioning the country as a top-tier Associate Member," said Muller. 'Having a world-class cricket venue is a milestone that solidifies Namibia's status as a leading Associate Member. It signifies our commitment to long-term cricketing excellence, not only in on-field performance but in administrative and infrastructural development. 'This stadium will serve as a beacon for cricket in Africa, ensuring Namibia remains a host nation for top-tier ICC events and a key player in global cricket discussions.' Situated in the south of Windhoek, the ground will hold a capacity of 7,000. The venue will also house Namibia's High Performance Centre, with an indoor centre and gym to prime the country's aspiring and elite players who meet for camps at various times across the year. The reality of the ground is almost beyond Erasmus' comprehension. Having grown up in the Cricket Namibia family, watching the tireless work of his father Francois for the association on top of running a law firm, few are better placed to explain the magnitude of what has been done in such a short space of time. 'I don't think I ever thought about it being a possibility - no,' Erasmus said, when asked if he could imagine an exclusive ground for cricket in the country. 'I think growing up, I was always at the Wanderers field (in Windhoek) and that has been the home of cricket forever because the training facilities are there and I've only really known that ever as the home. 'It's always been a multipurpose club and it's always probably not been the ideal setting to call your home there because there's so many other members of a club and so many other sports that share the same facilities. If you want to be truly professional and highly-regarded as one of the best sports in the country, you need your own home. 'This is why it makes it so special.' On the corporate side, the ground will feature a restaurant and a hospitality wing, helping to create rewarding match experiences for those visiting from near and afar, and designated work spaces to align with ICC requirements to host global tournaments. Muller wants to leave a lasting impression on those travelling to Namibia to return home with lifelong memories. 'Hosting a senior ICC World Cup is an immense source of national pride. It reflects Namibia's growing influence in international cricket and validates years of hard work by players, administrators, and fans. 'Namibia is ready to welcome you with open arms. Our country is renowned for its breathtaking landscapes, vibrant culture, and warm hospitality. 'Beyond the thrilling cricket action, visitors can explore Namibia's diverse attractions, from the dunes of Sossusvlei to the wildlife of Etosha National Park. 'Namibia promises a World Cup experience like no other.' Gerhard Erasmus wins Men's Associate Cricketer of the Year | ICC Awards 2024 Not given the luxury of an automatic spot at Cricket World Cup 2027, qualification for the World Cup meanwhile will be an uphill task for the Eagles, currently outside a top four spot in League 2, which would move them to the Cricket World Cup Qualifier. There is a path through a Play-off should they not finish in the top half of the eight-team competition, though Erasmus acknowledges play needs to improve on the field if they are to feature at the tournament on home soil. 'The qualification runs are obviously tough, where there are fewer teams in the 50-over World Cup, but it would definitely be one of the most special things in your career to play on a world stage event in front of your people," he said. 'It feels like we've been going through a little bit of a rebuilding phase for the last sort of 18 months, maybe even two years. 'I think the team is younger than it was in the first four years of this journey, and there's obviously going to always be speed bumps along the way with that.' For the skipper, the group represents a chance to move the game even further in the country, leaving a mark for future generations to improve upon. 'It's a rebirth of something new, so that in itself is always exciting and that's what you want to do in cricket as a cricket nation. You want to continue building, you know when it becomes stagnant you want to inspire future generations, so things like this need to happen," Erasmus continued. 'It would sort of be perhaps the true homecoming for a lot of Namibian cricket folk that have worked forever in Cricket Namibia, basically given their lives for the country's cricket.' The ground is set to also play host to part of the next ICC U19 Men's Cricket World Cup, a tournament co-hosted with Zimbabwe. ICC Cricket World Cup News Gerhard Erasmus 04/11/1995
Int'l Cricket Council
26-01-2025
- Sport
- Int'l Cricket Council
ICC AWARDS 2024: Emerging, Associate And Umpire Winners Named
· Kamindu Mendis (Sri Lanka) and Annerie Dercksen (South Africa) triumph in Emerging Cricketer of the Year categories · Namibia's Gerhard Erasmus and UAE captain Esha Oza win Associate Cricketer of the Year awards · Richard Illingworth crowned ICC Umpire of the Year for third successive time · ODI and Test Cricketers of the Year named tomorrow, with information about the ICC Awards available here As ICC Awards 2024 announcements moved into a third day, the International Cricket Council (ICC) today revealed the winners in five more individual categories – the ICC Emerging Men's and Women's Cricketers of the Year, ICC Men's and Women's Associate Cricketers of the Year and the ICC Umpire of the Year. The ICC Emerging Cricketer of the Year awards acknowledge the outstanding breakthrough players in international cricket and the Men's and Women's awards singled out a talented duo that enjoyed landmark success in 2024. Kamindu Mendis has been crowned the ICC Emerging Men's Cricketer of the Year after a record-breaking spell saw the Sri Lankan become the fastest player to reach 1,000 Test runs in 75 years. He returned to the Test side in March with an immediate impact, striking twin centuries in a match against Bangladesh in Sylhet, and the 26-year-old used that platform to establish himself as one of the leading Test batters in the year, striking 1,049 runs in nine Tests and hitting headlines when he also became the first player to hit a half-century in each of his first eight matches. South Africa's Annerie Dercksen wins the ICC Emerging Women's Cricketer of the Year award, with the all-rounder integral in the Proteas run to the ICC Women's T20 World Cup final in the UAE in October and enjoying success with the bat and ball in multiple formats. Despite celebrating debuts in ODI and Test cricket during the year, it was the shortest format where the 23-year-old made her greatest impact, hitting 161 runs at an average of 32.20 and taking five wickets during the year. Elsewhere, Namibia's captain Gerhard Erasmus caps a stellar year of outstanding all-round performances in ODI and T20I cricket with his second ICC Men's Associate Cricketer of the Year award, while UAE skipper Esha Oza is also crowned for the second time as the ICC Women's Associate Cricketer of the Year, with runs and wickets flowing in another impressive year. Erasmus struck four half-centuries in the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup League 2, while returning career-best figures of 5-28 against Nepal in Kathmandu. He also scored four half-centuries in T20I cricket over the course of the year, including 52 from 31 balls against Scotland in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024, to go with his seven wickets in the competition. Oza meanwhile, hit 711 runs over the course of the year, a tally only bettered by Smriti Mandhana and Chamari Athapathtu. As well as an unbeaten 114 against Oman in the ACC Women's Premier Cup in February, she scored 189 runs in the UAE's impressive showing at the ICC Women's T20 World Cup Qualifier in April and May, which included half-centuries against the Netherlands and Sri Lanka. Finally, Richard Illingworth claimed the ICC Umpire of the Year award for a third successive year, selected on the basis of his decision making and his outstanding communication and relationships with teams and captains during 2024. Reacting to their awards, the winners were all reflective on an outstanding 2024 on the international stage. ICC Emerging Men's Cricketer of the Year, Kamindu Mendis: "Winning two ICC Player of the Month Awards in 2024, along with being named the ICC Emerging Men's Cricketer of the Year, fills me with immense joy and pride. These accolades are a testament to the hard work and dedication I've put into my game, with the unwavering support of my coaches, teammates, family, and friends. 'Playing international cricket has always been a childhood dream, and having the chance to showcase my skills on such a platform is both an honour and a result of that relentless effort. 'Looking ahead, my goal is to continue building on my early performances on the international field and use it as a stepping stone to reach the highest level of excellence in the sport. 'I would also like to acknowledge the immense talent of my fellow nominees - Gus, Shamar, and Saim - all of whom are exceptional players.' ICC Emerging Women's Cricketer of the Year 2024, Annerie Dercksen: 'I am not one for personal awards or recognition. But it's a great honour and I am truly humbled by this recognition. 'It genuinely feels like I'm living a dream. I still have the same excitement as when I was a 5-year-old playing in the backyard, but now I'm playing alongside and against all my heroes. Being part of this team has been an incredible experience, and I'm incredibly grateful for the chance to learn and grow from such talented and experienced players. When I reflect, in some ways I almost don't recognise the player I was a year ago. 'This year has been filled with unforgettable moments, from my ODI and Test debuts in India to the incredible experience of reaching the World Cup final. Although we didn't win, that journey remains close to my heart and one of the highlights of my career. 'There are so many people I'm grateful to, and I might inevitably forget a few. Above all, all praise, honour, and glory belong to God. I'm deeply thankful to my teammates, who have welcomed me with open arms and shared invaluable guidance. Thank you to the entire Proteas Women management for their continuous support and mentorship. I also appreciate every coach who has worked with me—whether by throwing balls until their arms fell off or by simply having a quick chat over a cup of coffee. Lastly, I'm forever grateful to my family and friends for their unwavering love and support. ICC Men's Associate Cricketer of the Year, Gerhard Erasmus: 'I am delighted to be receiving this award again. 2024 has certainly been a moving year for me and to top the Associate world is becoming more and more challenging with the emerging pool of players from all over the world. 'It was a special moment to take my first five-wicket haul and to contribute all-round at the World Cup in West Indies as well as other international competitions. 'A big thanks to my team, Cricket Namibia staff and family for being supporting pillars.' ICC Women's Associate Cricketer of the Year, Esha Oza: 'It's a great honour to receive the ICC Women's Associate Cricket of the Year award for the second time. We are very proud and happy that 2024 has been a year where we've had many UAE players shine on the big stage. I feel I've also been able to contribute my best for UAE to date. 'It's been a year where, as a team we were challenged by getting to play against many higher ranked opposition teams and we stood up to the challenge in many games. It's definitely been a year of growth for me as a player and us [UAE] as a team. 'A lot of hard work goes on behind the scenes by many to help us play the way we do. I'm thankful and grateful to everyone who's shared the path with me to achieve this, my family, friends, coaches, teammates and especially the Emirates Cricket Board. Thank you, ICC, for the award and congratulations to all the award winners.' ICC Umpire of the Year, Richard Illingworth: 'To be awarded the David Shepherd Trophy for ICC Umpire of the Year is a fantastic honour and one I will cherish very much. 'Having umpired some fantastic games and series of cricket in the past 12 months I also feel very fortunate to do something as a second career which is so enjoyable and rewarding. 'There are a lot of people to thank who have been a great support to me during my life in cricket and during the last year, most importantly my wife Anne. 'All of my colleagues both on and off field whom I've worked with - they give me great strength and drive to be the best I can be. 'And finally the game of cricket itself which has provided me with fantastic opportunities and great memories.' Announcements in the ICC Awards 2024 will continue on Monday, with Men's and Women's ODI Cricketers of the Year revealed as well as the Men's Test Cricketer of the Year. Winners in 12 individual categories will be revealed each day until Tuesday, culminating in the most coveted and iconic prizes – the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for ICC Men's Cricketer of the Year and the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy for ICC Women's Cricketer of the Year. Winners in individual categories are determined by both the ICC Voting Academy and global fans, who registered over 1.5million votes at during a twelve-day voting period. For more information on the ICC Awards, including a summary of the winners announced to date, click here. ENDS
