Latest news with #CricketNamibia


Express Tribune
28-05-2025
- Sport
- Express Tribune
Namibia to play South Africa for first time
Namibia will host South Africa for a historic first meeting between the two sides to mark the official opening of their new ground in Windhoek. The one-off T20I will take place on October 11. Importantly, it will commemorate the opening of Cricket Namibia's first official stadium - previously internationals took place at the Wanderers, also in Windhoek, which is a club ground. The new ground will host the matches during the 2026 Under-19 Men's World Cup and the 2027 Men's ODI World Cup. Namibia is the co-host for the Under-19 World Cup with Zimbabwe and for the ODI World Cup with Zimbabwe and South Africa. The ground has been under construction since 2021 and will have a capacity of 7000. It is also the home of Namibia's high-performance centre. "This truly is a memorable occasion," Johann Muller, Cricket Namibia CEO, said in a statement. "The new ground has been a dream for the last four years and has finally materialised. A match against our neighbours, and one of the top cricketing countries in the world, is the perfect way to open this world-class facility." Despite being neighbours, South Africa have never played an international against Namibia, at bilateral or tournament level, and the trip across the western border indicates the growth in relations in cricket on the continent. South Africa and Zimbabwe are both playing a significant role at the African Cricket Association and there are talks of increased fixtures, such as this one, to grow the game. South Africa will also travel to Zimbabwe for the first time in 11 years later this year to play two Tests and a T20I tri-series. "We are honoured to be part of this historic occasion," Pholesti Moseki, CSA CEO, said. "Namibia are a competitive side, and this fixture reflects the growing strength of cricket on the continent. As a fellow African cricketing nation and the host of the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2027, we are proud to support the official opening of this new cricket ground, which will be one of the host venues of the tournament." By the time the match takes place, Namibia will have also competed in the Africa T20 World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe, where there are two spots available for next year's T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka. Namibia have played in the last three T20 World Cups, and their highest profile win was over Sri Lanka in Geelong in 2022.

TimesLIVE
27-05-2025
- Business
- TimesLIVE
Proteas to face Namibia for the first time in October
Namibia will face South Africa for the first time in a one-off T20 International in Windhoek, in October. The match will be played at the FNB Namibia Cricket Ground (NCG) on 11 October. It will be the first match at the newly renovated venue which will host matches in the Under-19 World Cup next year and the senior men's event in 2027. Namibia and Zimbabwe will be joint hosts for that tournament alongside SA. 'We are honoured to be part of this historic occasion. Namibia are a competitive side, and this fixture reflects the growing strength of cricket on the continent,' said Cricket SA's CEO, Pholetsi Moseki. 'As a fellow African cricketing nation and the host of the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2027, we are proud to support the official opening of this new cricket ground which will be one of the host venues of the tournament.' Moseki's counterpart at Cricket Namibia, Johan Muller thanked CSA for agreeing to play the fixture. 'The new FNB NCG has been a dream for the last four years and has finally materialised. A match against our neighbours, and one of the top cricketing countries in the world, is the perfect way to open this world class facility,' said Muller. The match adds to what is already a heavy schedule for the Proteas this year. After next month's World Test Championship final at Lord's they head to Zimbabwe at end of June to play two Tests and in a triangular T2o series with the host nation and New Zealand. Then there are trips to England and Australia for a limited overs series's in August and September and after the clash in Windhoek, SA heads to Pakistan and India for tours involving, Tests, ODIs and T20 matches. They play their last fixture in India on December 19 and a week later most of the players will be involved in the SA20, which starts on Boxing Day. There are no home Tests scheduled for the 2025/26 season and the men's team will on play in five T20 Internationals against the West Indies next January on SA soil, before heading to India for the T20 World Cup.


News24
27-05-2025
- General
- News24
Proteas to play Namibia in first-ever cricket encounter
Namibia and South Africa will face off in a historic one-off T20I cricket match on 11 October at the Namibia Cricket Ground in Windhoek. The match will serve as the official opening of Namibia's new cricket venue, which will host games during the 2026 U19 Cricket World Cup and the 2027 50-over Cricket World Cup. Cricket bosses Pholetsi Moseki and Johan Muller view this event as a milestone for African cricket and a significant step in strengthening the sport on the continent. For more cricket news, visit our dedicated section. South Africa will play Namibia in an international cricket match for the first time later this year. The historic one-off T20I clash between the Namibia Eagles and the Proteas Men will take place at the Namibia Cricket Ground (NCG) in Windhoek on 11 October. The match will serve as the official opening of Namibia's new home of cricket. The venue will host games during the 2026 ICC U19 Cricket World Cup and the 50-over Cricket World Cup in 2027. 'We are honoured to be part of this historic occasion. Namibia are a competitive side, and this fixture reflects the growing strength of cricket on the continent,' CSA CEO Pholetsi Moseki said in a statement. 'As a fellow African cricketing nation and the host of the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2027, we are proud to support the official opening of this new cricket ground which will be one of the host venues of the tournament.' Cricket Namibia CEO, Johan Muller, added: 'This truly is a memorable occasion. The new NCG has been a dream for the last four years and has finally materialised. A match against our neighbours, and one of the top cricketing countries in the world, is the perfect way to open this world class facility. 'I want to thank CSA and specifically their CEO, Pholetsi Moseki, for agreeing to this match. We look forward to hosting the Proteas Men's team and to partner with CSA in hosting the ICC Men's World Cup in 2027.'


The Citizen
29-04-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Jason Rowles' 5-wicket haul leads SA U19 victory over Namibia
Jason Rowles claimed an incredible five-wicket haul to set up South Africa U19's 10-wicket win over Cricket Namibia in the opening game of their three-match 50-over series in Windhoek. The slow left-arm spinner sent down six overs in which he returned five wickets for just eight runs. Thirty-one out of his 36 deliveries were dots, with his figures key to rolling over the hosts for 95 at the Namibia Cricket Ground. Adnaan Lagadien then plundered nine fours and a six in a dashing unbeaten 65 off 47 balls to help the away side chase down their target inside 12 overs and go 1-0 up in the series. Match two takes place tomorrow. Before that, the Junior Proteas will take full pride in this win after delivering a complete performance from the time they won the toss and bowled, right through until the end. Fit-again Lions fast bowler JJ Bason (2-32) struck in the third over when he got rid of Muller Michael for a duck, before possibly the only passage of play that went well for the Namibians over the next 10 overs. This was when Zacheo Jansen van Vuuren struck a top score of 41 and put on 41 with Malan Morkel (10) for the second wicket, allowing their side to reach 49-1. But Ntando Soni (1-22) then began the slide by dismissing the latter, with the former following just under three overs later when he was removed by another Dolphins player, Bandile Mbatha (1-9). The slide continued as Rowles worked his magic and no other Namibia player managed to reach double figures. In the end they collapsed and were all out in 28 overs, which included losing nine wickets for 46 runs. Lagadien was then in no mood to hang around, and together with Jorich van Schalkwyk (23* off 25 balls), chased down the target with 38.1 overs to spare. The post Rowles stars for SA U19 in Namibia appeared first on SA Cricketmag.

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