#Title

24 BELTER

IRELAND
NAMIBIA
Matches: 0 Won: 0 Lost: 0 Tied: 0 No Result: 0
STATISTICS
Ireland
T20 World Cup Appearances: 5
Best Result: Super 8s (2009)
STATISTICS
Namibia
T20 World Cup: Debut

DREAMING OF REKINDLING ‘09 FLAME
Ireland were one of the sides that had travelled to the UAE early in order to better acclimatise with the conditions and play a few practice games as part of preparation for the T20 World Cup. They will begin their campaign on October 18 in Abu Dhabi. Led by Andy Balbirnie, the Irish side picked an uncapped left-arm spin-bowling all-rounder in Graham Kennedy for the marquee event. Ireland coach Graham Ford rationalised the inclusion of Andy McBrine, citing that the 26-year-old off-spinner will offer cover for first-choice Simi Singh. The Irish made it to the Super 8s in 2009 by beating Bangladesh and will be looking to replicate that performance once again.

GOT NOTHING TO LOSE
For Namibia, the biggest news is that David Wiese, former South Africa allrounder, will be playing for them when they make their T20 World Cup debut. Wiese, whose father was born in Namibia, qualified for the side by descent. This, however, will be Wiese’s second appearance in the T20 World Cup, with his first being for South Africa in 2016. Namibia, led by Gerard Erasmus, opted for a young crop of players. Namibia have a tough opening game set up against Sri Lanka on October 19 in Abu Dhabi and will look to stun their opposition as they have nothing to lose.

SQUAD
Andrew Balbirnie (c), Mark Adair, Curtis Campher, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Josh Little, Andrew McBrine, Kevin O’Brien, Neil Rock, Simi Singh, Paul Stirling, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Ben White, Craig Young
RESERVES
Shane Getkate, Graham Kennedy, Barry McCarthy

SQUAD
Gerhard Erasmus (c), Stephen Baard, Karl Birkenstock. Michau du Preez, Jan Frylinck, Zane Green, Nicol Lofie-Eaton, Bernard Scholtz, Ben Shikongo, JJ Smit, Ruben Trumpelmann, Michael van Lingen, David Wiese, Craig Williams, Picky Ya France
RESERVE
Mauritius Ngupita