Sri Lanka justifiably assured, however in-form Namibia are not any pushovers

Read Time:5 Minute, 9 Second

Large image

The Sri Lanka of yore have been mythical destroyers of affiliate aspects. But when this group thinks Namibia goes to roll over for them, a snappy look at Namibia’s file must be sobering sufficient. Of the 22 T20Is Namibia have finished, they’ve gained 18. They’ve additionally gained each and every in their closing six fits. The caveat is that of these types of video games, just one – in opposition to Eire in 2019 – was once in opposition to a full-member country. However following comfy victories over the UAE, Scotland and Papua New Guinea over the last 3 weeks (all of whom are on the International Cup) they aren’t simply at their first T20 International Cup to make up the numbers. They’re going to be aggressive, and aiming for a place within the Tremendous 12s.

Namibia’s best order has a tendency to pivot round Craig Williams and captain Gerhard Erasmus, however allrounder Johannes Smit has additionally been in very good contact this 12 months. Bernard Scholtz, the offspinner, is possibly their main bowling danger in turning stipulations. Even supposing Scholtz isn’t recognized to show the ball considerably, he have been the main wicket-taker within the T20 qualifier, with 15 wickets, at the side of an impressive economic system charge of five.34. Someplace in the course of that line-up could also be a extra acquainted title – David Wiese, the allrounder who performed for South Africa within the 2016 T20 International Cup, and has now requalified for the neighbouring nation.

Sri Lanka will really feel assured going into the qualifiers. Oman gave them a scare in one of the crucial fits the ones two groups performed within the lead-up, however they have been comfy victors in any case. Within the warm-ups, they squeezed previous Bangladesh, and had little bother in opposition to Papua New Guinea. There’s a tinge of optimism to this marketing campaign, as Sri Lanka really feel they’ve raised their recreation over the last few months.

However it’s price citing that Sri Lanka have been champions of the second-most-recent world T20 match, a bit of over seven years in the past. No different facet has made the general of this match extra frequently. And but they come at this International Cup no longer most effective having to qualify for the principle draw, however with T20s simply the worst in their 3 codecs. It’s been a dramatic slip.

Shape information

(finished fits, most up-to-date first)

Namibia WWWWW

Sri Lanka LLLWW

Within the highlight

Craig Williams‘ closing 4 T20I rankings are 57, 50, 57, and 81. Thank you to these rankings, he’s simply Namibia’s best scorer this 12 months, with 259 runs at a strike charge of 142. He could also be amongst Namibia’s oldest – at 37, with a Listing A debut long ago in 2007 – however as the shape batter within the outfit, he’s going to wish to hit the bottom working in opposition to Sri Lanka.

Avishka Fernando, in the meantime, has been Sri Lanka’s absolute best batter over the 4 video games they’ve performed not too long ago. He hit 83 no longer out off 59 balls to rescue them from 51 for 4 within the first recreation in opposition to Oman, prior to hitting 62 no longer out off 42 within the warm-up in opposition to Bangladesh, then 61 off 37 in the second one warm-up in opposition to Papua New Guinea. This good fortune has come at No. 4, the place he has very hardly performed previously. It sounds as if the transfer was once triggered via some knowledge that Sri Lanka’s brief advisor Mahela Jayawardene had dug up. If he can reflect this sort of good fortune throughout the match, Sri Lanka can be some technique to fixing their best order issues.

Pitch and prerequisites

It is anticipated to be heat, even after sundown. The Abu Dhabi floor could be spin-friendly, however average rankings were the norm there.

Group information

Sri Lanka (conceivable): 1 Dinesh Chandimal (wk), 2 Pathum Nissanka, 3 Kusal Perera, 4 Avishka Fernando, 5 Dhananjaya de Silva, 6 Charith Asalanka, 7 Dasun Shanaka (capt.), 8 Chamika Karunaratne, 9 Wanindu Hasaranga, 10 Dushmantha Chameera, 11 Maheesh Theekshana

Namibia could also be tempted to stay with the similar XI that gained their most-recent T20I, in opposition to Papua New Guinea.

Namibia (conceivable): 1 Stephan Baard, 2 Zane Inexperienced (wk), 3 Craig Williams, 4 Gerhard Erasmus (capt.), 5 David Wiese, 6 JJ Smit, 7 Pikky Ya France, 8 Jan Frylinck, 9 Ben Shikongo, 10 Bernard Scholtz, 11 Michael van Lingen

Stats and minutiae

Namibia have by no means performed a South Asian facet in a T20I. Their most effective losses have come in opposition to Netherlands, Papua New Guinea (two times), and Eire – all in 2019.

Sri Lanka have misplaced 9 of the 12 T20Is they’ve performed this 12 months. Two in their wins got here in opposition to a significantly depleted India.

Avishka has no longer scored a half-century in his 21 recognised T20I innings. He has batted at No. 4 most effective as soon as to this point, despite the fact that.

Quotes

“Craig has been in in reality just right contact. He in reality brings that have – he is been concerned for a few years now. He is in reality purchased into a job within the closing couple of months on this structure. He is in reality been the glue of our best 5. However he is additionally a type of batters the place there is no complacency there. The next day to come’s a brand new day – he is were given that form of perspective. Age, for him, isn’t a topic at 37. What he is installed for cricket Namibia over 13-14 years is exceptional. He will stroll directly to that pitch day after today as a senior participant, and that is the reason one thing he’s going to treasure for the remainder of his lifestyles.”

Namibia trainer Lennie Louw on his group’s variety batter

Andrew Fidel Fernando is ESPNcricinfo’s Sri Lanka correspondent. @afidelf

Supply hyperlink