Cricket tournament called off
Limba Mupetami
WINDHOEK
The international cricket tournament between Namibia and Zimbabwe - slated for this month - has been called off.
Head coach of the Namibian national women’s cricket teams, Francois van der Merwe, confirmed that the tournament has been called off due to the increase in numbers of Covid-19 cases in neighbouring Zimbabwe.
Van der Merwe said they had planned thoroughly for the tournament; however, there is nothing they can do at this moment in time.
The tournament was set for 22 January to 3 February at Trustco United Sports Field in Windhoek.
“It was called off last night (Wednesday) and pushed till a further date. A lot of people won’t and don’t understand this, but it is costly to host a tournament with all the implications like going into a bio-bubble event, though we have planned for it,” Van der Merwe added.
Improving ranking
He said the team needs to play international games in order to improve its International Cricket Council (ICC) ranking, as they are currently 23rd in the world.
The team’s last competitive fixtures were in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup qualifier in September 2019, where the Namibians finished a disappointing last place after losing all their group stage and play-off games.
The two countries were supposed to face off in four T20 internationals and three 50-over as well as one-day internationals.
Zimbabwe is Namibia’s biggest rival in Africa in the cricket circle, and the host team’s intention was to ensure that they set the tone for the rest of the year.
WINDHOEK
The international cricket tournament between Namibia and Zimbabwe - slated for this month - has been called off.
Head coach of the Namibian national women’s cricket teams, Francois van der Merwe, confirmed that the tournament has been called off due to the increase in numbers of Covid-19 cases in neighbouring Zimbabwe.
Van der Merwe said they had planned thoroughly for the tournament; however, there is nothing they can do at this moment in time.
The tournament was set for 22 January to 3 February at Trustco United Sports Field in Windhoek.
“It was called off last night (Wednesday) and pushed till a further date. A lot of people won’t and don’t understand this, but it is costly to host a tournament with all the implications like going into a bio-bubble event, though we have planned for it,” Van der Merwe added.
Improving ranking
He said the team needs to play international games in order to improve its International Cricket Council (ICC) ranking, as they are currently 23rd in the world.
The team’s last competitive fixtures were in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup qualifier in September 2019, where the Namibians finished a disappointing last place after losing all their group stage and play-off games.
The two countries were supposed to face off in four T20 internationals and three 50-over as well as one-day internationals.
Zimbabwe is Namibia’s biggest rival in Africa in the cricket circle, and the host team’s intention was to ensure that they set the tone for the rest of the year.
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