Namibia Cricket Team

Captain: Gerhard Erasmus
Coaches: Pierre de Bruyn (Head Coach)
First international match: 1961 (As South West Africa); 1989 (as Namibia)
Cricket board: Cricket Namibia (CN)

Namibia men's cricket team history


A former German colony, Namibia was introduced to cricket through its southern neighbour, South Africa, before and during World War I. And the game grew in the country during its time as a South African protectorate for over 70 years when the team (as South West Africa) played in South Africa's domestic system from the 1960s to the 1980s, and then again in the 2000s. More recently, Namibia gained some players from South Africa, including allrounder David Wiese, whose father was born in Namibia, and leading ODI wicket-taker Ruben Trumpelmann.

Namibia gained global recognition after playing in the 2003 World Cup, but had to wait 16 years to regain ODI status. The in-between years included middling performances in Intercontinental Cups and World Cricket Leagues, although they did win the Intercontinental Shield in 2009-10 and finish second in Division 2 of the WCL in 2015.

Namibia's challenge always lay in resources with a population of a little over 2.5 million and limited facilities. There are only five premier league clubs in Namibia, nine cricket fields and the national team play their fixtures at a club ground, Wanderers.

Increased investment from the ICC and a more focused programme from 2019 saw exponential growth and Namibia emerged as Africa's second side from the 2020s. At the 2021 T20 World Cup, they made it to the Super 12s, securing an automatic spot for the 2022 tournament in Australia, although they were unable to repeat that feat there. In February 2024, No. 5 batter Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton hit the fastest T20I century, off 33 balls, against Nepal.

Cricket Namibia are currently building the country's first national stadium in the capital, Windhoek, in preparation for 2027 ODI World Cup, which they will co-host.

Namibia men's Cricket Team's Current Ranking


ODIs: 16
T20Is: 13


Namibia Cricket Team Trophies and Milestones


2001: Qualify for the 2003 World Cup after reaching the final of the ICC trophy, but lose all their six matches at the main event



2021: Beat Netherlands and Ireland to advance to the Super 12s of the T20 World Cup

fan-ratings
Team Fan Ratings
T20Is
OTHERT20s
1.
Tangeni Lungameni
Runs: 14Wkts: 27
9
2.
David Wiese
Runs: 490Wkts: 33
8.3
3.
Zane Green
Runs: 407Wkts: 0
7.4

Top Run Scorers

In last one year
ODIs
T20Is
Gerhard Erasmus
NAM,  Rhb
85
Innings: 4Average: 21.25
Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton
85
Innings: 4Average: 21.25
JJ Smit
NAM,  Rhb
77
Innings: 4Average: 38.50
Nikolaas Davin
NAM,  Rhb
506
Innings: 15Average: 36.14
Jan Frylinck
NAM,  Lhb
424
Innings: 19Average: 26.50
Gerhard Erasmus
NAM,  Rhb
373
Innings: 17Average: 31.08

Top Wicket Takers

In last one year
ODIs
T20Is
Gerhard Erasmus
12
Innings: 4Average: 10.16
Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton
6
Innings: 4Average: 15.00
Bernard Scholtz
NAM,  Sla
6
Innings: 4Average: 16.66
Gerhard Erasmus
26
Innings: 16Average: 10.23
Bernard Scholtz
NAM,  Sla
22
Innings: 20Average: 21.36
Ruben Trumpelmann
17
Innings: 9Average: 14.94