Category Uncategorized

Captain Gerhard Erasmus says the experience of the last T20 World Cup gave them an idea of the skills required at this level

Firdose Moonda16-Oct-20223:07

Craig Williams: ‘Don’t be surprised if Namibia start winning big games’

Two days short of a year ago, Sri Lanka bowled Namibia out for 96 in their T20 World Cup opener and won by seven wickets. Not even 365 days have passed, but, as Gerhard Erasmus put it, “the tables have been turned”. His team has just beaten Sri Lanka by 55 runs to start the 2022 T20 World Cup.The difference between those two events? 12 months, of course, but not just any 12 months – 12 months of immense growth for the Namibian side.”There was more hype and childish belief last year,” Erasmus said. “This year was more something of [knowing] we can relate to that level. Mentally, we can relate to that level. We can also now physically and skilfully relate to that level.”Related

Munsey and Watt have a bash as a Scottish fairytale is scripted in Hobart

Sri Lanka pacers change their plan – and allow Namibia to change the mood at Kardinia Park

Namibia kick off World Cup in style with famous upset

After that heavy defeat in 2021, Namibia recovered to have a fairy-tale run through the group stages and qualified for the Super 12s. There, they beat fellow Associates Scotland but were blown away by bigger teams. They lost to Afghanistan, Pakistan and New Zealand by margins of 45 runs or more and to India by nine wickets, and lessons were learned.”We’ve played India, Pakistan, all these teams before,” Erasmus said. “We’ve seen it, we’ve tasted it and we’ve sort of closed that gap by becoming one step closer to them and getting the physical feel of what it’s like. That gave us the belief this time around.”If at any point Namibia were flirting with a false sense of grandeur, they were brought right back down to earth when they saw, what Erasmus called, “the tabloids”, which gave them “about an 11% chance” of beating Sri Lanka.”As soon as we knew that, it gave us that underdog feeling again. Having that with a bit of real belief, not the childish, behind-the-scenes belief that you’ve played at that level – that’s what happened today. We just went onto the field on an equal footing to the Sri Lankan side.”

“The experiences we had from last year’s World Cup really gave us a good idea of what type of skill we need to have to be able to compete at this high level. The speed of the ball is more, the quality of the skills and the percentage of execution that guys are playing at is higher”Gerhard Erasmus

It didn’t always look that way though.Namibia were 35 for 3 inside five overs and 93 for 6 in the 15th before showing some of the progress they have made. Jan Frylinck and JJ Smit took advantage of a Sri Lankan attack that went with slow, short deliveries at the death and gave Namibia what Erasmus thought was an above-par total.”The experiences we had from last year’s World Cup really gave us a good idea of what type of skill we need to have to be able to compete at this high level. The speed of the ball is more, the quality of the skills and the percentage of execution that guys are playing at is higher. We got some powerplay boundaries today which were scored behind square. We were much more comfortable playing mystery spin [Maheesh Theekshana] and [Wanindu] Hasaranga towards the middle and towards the latter end, bludgeoning the ball a bit harder. Those types of skills, we’ve had to put together over the last 12 months.”In this time, Namibia have had several opportunities to test themselves. They went toe-to-toe with Uganda and Zimbabwe. Playing as the Richelieu Eagles, they were also part of a domestic T20 tri-series that included the Lahore Qalandars and Lions from South Africa. Erasmus emerged from that competition as its third-highest run-scorer.Over the last 12 months, Namibia focused on how to play the short ball, which is what they expected to be their biggest threat at this World Cup.The Namibia players get together in a huddle after their win•Getty Images”We worked on synthetic wickets – AstroTurf and cement wickets – at home and we trained for the short ball since we know the bounce is a bit more in Australia,” their batter Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton saidApart from attempting to mimic Australia as much as possible, they also roped in, as bowling consultant, an adopted Australian: Morne Morkel, the brother of their assistant coach Albie and someone who knows more about the short ball than most. While Zane Green described Morne as the yang to Albie’s yin – “the fun guy that brings the energy to training and matches” – Erasmus said just having someone different has helped. “Being a team where there are not many fresh players coming in because of our small player base, it’s always brilliant to have someone new on the coaching staff.”While facing Morkel in the nets would have helped improve the batters’ skills, his primary job was to help the bowlers and the results are already showing. The Namibian quicks stuck to a hard length and an off-stump line to force a Sri Lankan collapse that will be talked about for ages.Last year losing to Sri Lanka was the catalyst that pushed Namibia to up their game and reach the Super 12s; this year, beating them has to do the same job. It’s only the first match of three and Namibia can ill afford to take their victory for granted, even though they are going to celebrate it for everything it is worth.”Everyone is very glad at beating a Test nation for the first time ever [Namibia have previously beaten Ireland and Zimbabwe], and on a world stage, in the opening game,” Erasmus said. “It’s a massive event in our lives and it should be celebrated. But it’s going to take a massive mental reset from our point of view because we can get carried away with celebrations and historic events like this. The recovery periods between these games are so quick. It’s only the start of the tournament and we really need to have our eye on qualifying for the Super 12s, which is the main goal for me.”

Kane Williamson has recovered from the groin injury which kept him out of New Zealand’s tour of India to take his place in the squad to face England while Wellington allrounder Nathan Smith has been handed his first Test call-up.Uncapped seamer Jacob Duffy is also part of the squad with Bear Sears (knee) and Kyle Jamieson (back) unavailable due to injury. Left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner, who took 13 wickets in Pune, will come into the group for the second and third Tests in Wellington and Hamilton. The opening Test takes place in Christchurch from November 28.Related

• Ross Taylor: 'New Zealand outfielded, outbatted and outbowled India'

• There's a madness to Daryl Mitchell's methods against spin

• Tim Southee to bow out of Test cricket at end of England series

Smith, 26, made his international debut in the first ODI against Sri Lanka earlier this week. In last season’s Plunket Shield he was the leading wicket-taker with 33 at 17.18 and in September was awarded a central contract. He also took 27 wickets at 21.14 for Worcestershire in last season’s County Championship alongside scoring three half-centuries.Ajaz Patel, who claimed 15 wickets against India, has not been included which means his record of taking all 85 of his Test wickets away from home will remain intact for now.Williamson’s return to fitness could put pressure on Will Young, player of the series in India, to retain his place in the XI.It was announced earlier on Friday that Tim Southee would retire from Test cricket after the England series unless New Zealand make the World Test Championship final.The 3-0 win in India has given them a chance of reaching the final again although even with a whitewash of England would not guarantee it.”It’s obviously a big series for the side in terms of the World Test Championship and to also now be farewelling someone like Tim Southee, only raises it up further,” Sam Wells, the New Zealand selector, said. “Tim has had a fabulous career and will go down as one of the great Black Caps.”I am sure the team and the public will want to give Tim a fitting send-off in what is a highly anticipated series. It’s also an exciting time for Nathan to be brought into the Test squad for the first time. Nathan is an exciting talent with a proven first-class record and I’m sure he will bring a lot of skill and energy to the group.”

New Zealand Test squad vs England

Tom Latham (capt), Tom Blundell, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell, Will O’Rourke, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner (Tests 2 and 3), Nathan Smith, Tim Southee, Kane Williamson, Will Young

From crossing the divide between both Manchester United and Manchester City and starring at Juventus to featuring for Argentina, it’s fair to say that Carlos Tevez’s career isn’t short on moments to remember, or teammates for that matter.

The iconic forward shared a dressing room with some of the best players in football history, but the two that instantly stand out are Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

Whilst Tevez did become an Olympic Gold Medalist with Lionel Messi for Argentina in 2004, it was with Ronaldo at club level that he enjoyed the most success.

During the two seasons they played together at Old Trafford from 2007 to 2009, the attacking duo won the Premier League twice, the Club World Cup, the League Cup and the Champions League. To say their partnership was a success would be an incredible understatement.

Their best season together came in the 2007/08 campaign as they combined to score a total of 45 Premier League goals and help Manchester United on their way to another title-winning season.

Appearances

34

34

Goals

14

31

Assists

6

6

Of course, it wasn’t long after that when Tevez committed the ultimate sin of swapping Old Trafford for the chance to join arch-rivals Manchester City, whilst Ronaldo also left for Real Madrid at the same time.

The impact Tevez often made when partnering Messi for Argentina and Ronaldo at Manchester United is undeniable and the forward has been full of praise for both over the years, previously telling reporters: “Cristiano had to work and prepare himself to be the best, while for Leo it comes naturally.

Sir Alex Ferguson named Arsenal star as "perfect" for Man Utd and tried to sign him

The Red Devils and the Gunners have had a fierce Premier League rivalry.

ByCharlie Smith May 22, 2025

“Those are the greatest differences that I see between the two best players on the planet. Messi plays another sport. For him to score three goals [in any given game] is normal.”

As much as Messi and Ronaldo steal the headlines, however, when asked to pick his best ever teammate, Tevez chose to name an England and United legend instead of the men who dominated the Ballon d’Or podium for over a decade.

Carlos Tevez: Rooney was my best ever teammate

Snubbing both Messi and Ronaldo, Tevez revealed that Wayne Rooney was his best ever teammate during an interview relayed by GiveMeSport.

The impact that the England legend made as part of a deadly front three with Ronaldo and Tevez is clearly something that the latter has not forgotten and will not do so anytime soon.

Whilst some are quick to undervalue Rooney’s influence, Tevez went as far as putting the former United forward above two of football’s greatest-ever players when discussing his best teammates.

da stake casino： Manchester United could now hijack Leeds United’s transfer and sign a “sensational” £21 million ace to replace Andre Onana in goal, according to a recent report.

Man Utd set to let Onana leave as they identify replacements

da lvbet： The Red Devils have plenty of decisions to make this summer as the transfer window begins to get into full swing, and it now appears as though a decision on the future of goalkeeper Onana has been made.

The Cameroon international really had an up-and-down campaign last season, costing important points and results with unforgivable errors while also producing some stunning moments. Ruben Amorim is of course assessing his squad and the areas he wants to strengthen, and now, according to The Sun, United are ready to loan Onana out for the 2025/26 season so they can bring in a new goalkeeper.

Related Man Utd table £30m bid to sign England "monster" who's better than Hojlund

Man Utd have now made an offer to sign a new striker for Ruben Amorim this summer.

Posts 1 ByBrett Worthington Jun 30, 2025

Onana has been linked with a move to the Saudi Arabia Pro League before now, but talk of any potential transfer involving a team from that league has gone quiet. AS Monaco are believed to be interested in a deal, but that talk has also gone stale.

Therefore, United may now have to settle for loaning him out, and the same report states they could move for Botafogo’s John Victor as his replacement. The shot-stopper would cost United as little as £6 million, but he is not their only option when it comes to replacing Onana.

Man Utd could hijack Leeds move for Bulka

According to Caught Offside, Man United are keeping a close eye on OGC Nice goalkeeper Macin Bulka ahead of a potential move.

The report states that the French side want between €20-25 million for their goalkeeper, which is roughly £17-21 million. But United are not the only team from the Premier League chasing Bulka, as Chelsea are also considering making a move.

Should United make a move for Bulka, who has been capped five times by Poland, they would also have to get past both Sunderland and rivals Leeds United, who have opened talks with Nice, in view of agreeing a deal to sign the 25-year-old. Bulka is also attracting interest from teams such as Monaco, AC Milan and Galatasaray, but United will hope their worldwide pull can give them an advantage.

Marcin Bulka’s 24/25 Ligue 1 stats

Apps

34

Goals conceded

41

Goals conceded per game

1.2

Saves

121

Saves per game

3.6 (75%)

Penalties saved

1/3

Clean sheets

8

Errors leading to goal

3

Bulka, who has been described as “sensational” by Jacek Kulig in the past, joined Nice on a permanent basis back in 2022 after spending a few seasons at Paris Saint-Germain, and has since wowed current PSG boss Luis Enrique after stifling the Champions League winners back in April.

“We can’t make mistakes against him tomorrow,” says Prabath Jayasuriya

Andrew Fidel Fernando22-Sep-2024

Rachin Ravindra kept New Zealand’s chase alive with a fighting half-century•AFP/Getty Images

If you’re a batter, your first Test at one of the most trying venues on the planet tends not to go well for you. Rachin Ravindra, though, is proving across formats, that he’s not your run-of-the-mill batter out of New Zealand.His fourth-innings vanguard, which by the end of day four has brought him 91 not out off 158, and pushed New Zealand into a spot where they still have an outside chance of victory, has been full of bravado.Sri Lanka’s offspinners attacked him outside off stump, figuring that as he likes to play shots out there, there will eventually be an edge that comes off his bat. The edge never materialised but plenty of runs did – 40 of his runs coming in the arc between backward point and cover, Ravindra’s shot-making frequent and consistent even when the pitch was spitting towards the end of the day.Related

Southee hopes New Zealand 'learn and move forward' from Sri Lanka loss

Asia specialist Ajaz Patel says limited opportunities have made him hungrier

Ravindra wages lone battle with Sri Lanka two wickets away from victory

Battle of cricket nerds: How Herath helped New Zealand bring Karunaratne down

“I’ll be honest, the pitch isn’t easy – but there were periods there when Rachin made it look very easy,” said Ajaz Patel, who partnered Ravindra through the last few overs of the day.”He’s a phenomenal player. I think he’s world class. With his batting out there today, you saw him sticking to a solid plan for long periods, and trusting his skills. He’s got an amazing future in front of him. I’m grateful he’s on our team. He’s a headache to bowl to in first-class cricket.”When Sri Lanka switched to bowling straighter at him, Ravindra was no less proficient through the legside. He was ruthless when the bowlers erred even slightly on length, preferring the pull to the sweep as his main run-scoring option on the legside.In fact, four of his nine fours, and his one six all came through midwicket, with the six coming off a full toss.Opposition left-arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya had serious praise for Ravindra too.”I mostly tried to bowl into the rough to him and turn it into him. Sometimes he was very good at latching on to the short balls.”There was some little chances that came off him. But he kept his patience and batted nicely. He hit the loose balls away and kept the good ones out. He played like someone who understood his game, and was sticking to a game plan. Sometimes we tried to take his wicket and bowled aggressively, but he turned those into scoring opportunities.”Sri Lanka now need two more wickets to win, while New Zealand need 68 for victory. Ravindra has to score those runs in the company of No. 10 Patel, and No. 11 Will O’Rourke. If he gets through that challenge, it may be the finest moment of his career to date – in Tests, at least.”We can’t make mistakes against him tomorrow,” Jayasuriya said. “We have to take those two wickets.”

Left-arm quick Josh Little, who is currently with LA Knight Riders in the MLC, is a notable absentee from the Test squad

ESPNcricinfo staff17-Jul-2024Uncapped legspinner Gavin Hoey has received his maiden call-up to the Ireland squad for the upcoming one-off Test against Zimbabwe, which begins on July 25 in Belfast. He will bolster a spin attack that includes left-arm fingerspinner Matthew Humphreys and offspinner Andy McBrine.Theo van Woerkom and George Dockrell made way for Humphreys and Hoey who have just one Test cap between them. Seamer Matthew Foster, who was part of the Ireland squad that had toppled Afghanistan for their first Test win in March earlier this year, also didn’t find a place in this squad.Humphreys had a tough initiation into Test cricket, conceding 67 runs in ten overs on debut against Sri Lanka in Galle last year. His recent form, however, is more encouraging: he bagged 15 wickets in two first-class games for Ireland Emerging side against West Indies Academy at an average of 12.60, including two five-wicket hauls, last month.Related

Ireland host rusty Zimbabwe at Test cricket's newest venue

Madande, Bennett, Campbell get maiden Test call-ups for Zimbabwe

“Humphreys made his Test debut in Sri Lanka and found the going difficult against good players of spin out in the subcontinent,” Andrew White, the national selector, said in a statement. “He’d admit himself that he went through a period of a loss of form and maybe a loss of confidence, but he’s worked extremely hard to come back into the reckoning and his performances for Ireland Wolves have been exactly what we were looking for. Obviously in the West Indies last year for Emerging Ireland, then in Nepal, and has now backed it up in the recent series for the Emerging Ireland side against West Indies Academy, where he took 10 wickets. But it’s the consistency he has shown over the last period which has been really pleasing and he very much deserves his call-up.”White also talked up Hoey as an attacking option. “Hoey is a talented legspinner, and his ability to spin the ball both ways gives us a strong wicket-taking option,” he said. “Again, he’s a player that’s been on the radar for a while and can play across all three formats. But this is an opportunity for him to come into the Test squad and get used to the environment.”Left-arm quick Josh Little, who is currently with LA Knight Riders in the USA for the MLC, is a notable absentee from the Test squad. Little has prioritised white-ball cricket, including franchise opportunities, but is passionate about playing Test cricket in the future. While Little is now a regular in T20 leagues around the world, he is yet to make his Test debut.”I sort of blocked off this [next] two years as pretty busy franchise-wise, and then after that I’ll be putting an eye on Test cricket,” Little told . “It’s definitely something I want to do, something I’m passionate about doing. I can guarantee I will play Test cricket at some stage.”I love playing for Ireland, but equally franchise opportunities may not come around forever. It’s tough at times. Cricket Ireland have been nothing but accommodating. Sometimes it is a balancing act.”The one-off Test against Zimbabwe will be PJ Moor’s first international game against his country of birth. Moor had qualified to play for Ireland in October 2022 and was more recently part of the Ireland side, which earned their first Test win, in Abu Dhabi.Ireland Test squadAndrew Balbirnie (capt), Mark Adair, Curtis Campher, Gavin Hoey, Graham Hume, Matthew Humphreys, Andy McBrine, Barry McCarthy, James McCollum, PJ Moor, Paul Stirling, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Craig YoungIn: Gavin Hoey, Matthew Humphreys
Out: George Dockrell, Matthew Foster, Theo van Woerkom

Courtney Webb and Hannah Baker impress but Sparks come up short in first semi-final

ESPNcricinfo staff22-Jun-2024The Blaze booked their place in a third consecutive regional women’s final as they defeated Central Sparks by five wickets with two overs to spare in the first of the two semi-finals on Charlotte Edwards Cup Finals Day at Derby.Sparks England Under-19 legspinner Hannah Baker took 3 for 24 but the experience of England opener Tammy Beaumont (39 off 31 balls) and Scotland captain Kathryn Bryce (44 off 39) put The Blaze in control before a cameo 14 off four balls by Baker’s international captain Josie Groves saw last year’s runners-up across the line.Australian Courtney Webb rescued the Sparks innings from 93 for 6 with an unbeaten 45 from 31 balls after Davina Perrin (32 from 17) and Ami Campbell (21 from 14) had helped put on 54 in the powerplay after legspinner Groves, taking responsibility in the absence through injury of England’s Sarah Glenn, had taken 2 for 16 and left-arm pace bowler Grace Ballinger two for 34.Having been put in on a pitch that looked quite green, the aggressive approach adopted by Sparks openers Campbell and Perrin paid off with runs on the board, although neither survived the opening six overs.Blaze skipper Kirstie Gordon conceded 14 in her opening over but continued to toss the ball up to Campbell, who followed a six and two fours by being caught at long-on. And with the last ball of the sixth over, having been made to suffer as Perrin crashed her for three fours, Ballinger found the right line and length to bowl the 17-year-old.The Perrin dismissal signalled a switch of momentum, Sparks slipping from 75 for 2 in the 10th to 93 for 6 as skipper Eve Jones fell to a good low return catch by Lucy Higham, Kathryn Bryce ran out Abbey Freeborn off her own bowling and Groves bowled Katie George before having Charis Pavely stumped.Em Arlott hit Heather Graham straight to extra cover to make it 114 for 7 but Sparks finished well as Ballinger conceded 13 off her final over despite having Grace Potts caught at mid-off before a last over in which Webb was dropped on 41 and should have been run out on 43.The Blaze plundered 51 from their batting powerplay, putting them well on track despite the loss of Marie Kelly, who hit an unbeaten 89 against Sparks in their final points table match last Wednesday, fell for 8 to a catch at mid-off. By the halfway point, the Beaumont-Kathryn Bryce partnership had added 57 to take their side to 78 for 1.Sparks then made a second breakthrough as seamer George induced a low return catch to dismiss Beaumont for 39 off 31 before Jones’ team temporarily dried up the flow of boundaries, removing Sarah Bryce via a smart catch behind the wicket. But a huge six by Graham off Potts left The Blaze needing just 33 off the last five overs.Graham’s stay was short, perishing to a well-judged catch by Arlott at long-on off Webb, and Baker picked up her third wicket to keep Sparks in the hunt as Kathryn Bryce miscued to mid-on, but Groves crushed any hopes they might have had with three fours off the reel off George to seal victory with two overs to spare.