U19s get high praise ahead of World Cup
Cricket
Crcket Namibia president Rudie van Vuuren expects a superb performance from the young men.
As an ex-international player himself, Cricket Namibia president Dr Rudie van Vuuren expressed “complete confidence” in the junior men’s team that departed yesterday to South Africa to compete at the ICC Under 19 World Cup tournament.The team, named Walvis Bay Salt Eagles for sponsorship purposes, had an inspiring farewell function on Wednesday where Van Vuuren congratulated the selected squad and their parents.
“We have controlled all the controllables. All the hard work has been done. Your skills, physical fitness, mental toughness and preparation over the past two years is now behind you. You are ready.
“What I saw in Tanzania during the qualifiers gives me the complete confidence that we will make it through to the next round (knockout phase) of the World Cup,” Van Vuuren said.
“You are more than team members, you are brothers and together you are a formidable force. You are the best U19 team Cricket Namibia has ever fielded and the world will take note of you.”
Former U19 World Cup captains Stephen Baard and Lo-han Louwrens also gave inspirational speeches.
The Namibians, captained by Alexander Volschenk under head coach Oscar Nauhaus, will play unofficial warm-up matches in Pretoria against Scotland (on Sunday morning), Scotland and Nepal (10 and 11 January).
This is to be followed by two official warm-up ODI’s against USA and Ireland (13 and 16 January).
Namibia’s World Cup Group C fixtures will be played in Kimberley against Australia, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe, on 22, 24 and 27 January.
NAMIBIA U19 SQUAD
Alexander Volschenk (captain), batting all-rounder, Hoërskool Waterkloof and Titans U19.
Gerhard Janse van Rensburg (vice-captain), batting all-rounder, Windhoek Gymnasium and WHS Old Boys.
Hanro Badenhorst, bowling all-rounder, Private School Swakopmund, Pro-Ed Academy Old Boys.
PD Blignaut, off-spin bowler, St. Paul’s College, Wanderers.
Ben Brassell, batting all-rounder, Pro-Ed Academy and Pro-Ed Old Boys Cricket Club.
Jack Brassell, bowling all-rounder, Parkview Academy of Sport, Sunderland Cricket Club.
Hansie de Villiers, batsman, Wanderers.
Francois (Faf) du Plessis, leg-spin bowler, Windhoek Gymnasium and Wanderers.
Morris (Junior) Karamata, medium-fast bowler, Blue Waters Cricket Club.
Woutie Niehaus, medium-fast bowler, Tsumeb Gymnasium, Tsumeb Gymnasium Old Boys.
Nico Pieters, medium fast bowler, Windhoek Gymnasium and Trustco United.
Ryan Moffett, keeper/batsman, St. Paul’s College and CCD Tigers.
Zacheo van Vuuren, all-rounder, Windhoek Gymnasium, WHS Old Boys.
Henry van Wyk, batting all-rounder, St. Paul’s College and WHS Old Boys.
JW Visagie, keeper/batsman, Windhoek Gymnasium, WHS Old Boys.
• Support staff: Polly Negongo (manager), Kirsten Penzhorn (physiotherapist), Timothy Yates (analyst), Riaan Minnie (technical consultant).