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Namibia Ready for Any Challenge, Says Captain's Father Ahead of T20 WC Opener

Francois Erasmus, father of Namibia captain Gerhard Erasmus, expressed excitement and confidence ahead of the team's T20 World Cup 2026 opener against the Netherlands. He praised the hospitality in India and noted the significant growth of cricket in Namibia over the past five years. Namibia is competing in its fourth consecutive T20 World Cup, with its best performance being a Super 12 finish in 2021. The team recently made headlines by defeating 2024 runners-up South Africa in a lead-up match.

Key Points: Namibia Confident for T20 World Cup 2026, Says Erasmus's Father

  • Father expresses confidence ahead of opener
  • Praises India's hospitality
  • Notes cricket growth in Namibia
  • Team on fourth consecutive T20 WC appearance
2 min read

"We're ready for any of the teams," Namibia captain Gerhard Erasmus's father ahead of T20 WC 2026 campaign opener

Namibia captain Gerhard Erasmus's father expresses team's readiness and excitement ahead of their T20 World Cup 2026 opener against the Netherlands in Delhi.

"We are ready for any of the teams. - Francois Erasmus"

By Sahil Kohli, New Delhi, February 10

Namibia men's cricket team captain Gerhard Erasmus's father, Francois Erasmus, said that Namibia "are ready for any of the teams" at the ongoing ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 ahead of the team's campaign opener against the Netherlands in Delhi on Tuesday.

Speaking to ANI, ahead of the Namibia vs Netherlands T20 World Cup 2026 group-stage fixture, Francois Erasmus expressed excitement, praised India's hospitality, and said cricket in Namibia has grown significantly over the past five years, noting that Namibia are ready for "any of the teams" at the World Cup.

"Very excited. I think we have a good chance of winning the match. We arrived yesterday, but it's been fantastic so far. We have been well treated at the hotel, everything's good. In the last five years, cricket has grown in Namibia, and the quality of the game has picked up a lot. We are ready for any of the teams," Gerhard Erasmus's father, Francois Erasmus, said.

Namibia have only appeared in one ODI World Cup, back in 2003, where they finished at the bottom. They are now competing in their fourth consecutive T20 World Cup, following the 2021, 2022, and 2024 editions. Their best performance came in 2021, when they reached the Super 12 stage and finished 10th overall. Their most memorable win was a 55-run victory over then-Asia Cup champions Sri Lanka in the 2022 edition's first round.

Leading up to the current tournament, Namibia made headlines by defeating the 2024 T20 World Cup runners-up South Africa in October, chasing down 135 at home to win by 4 wickets.

In the T20 WC 2026 match, the Netherlands won the toss and put Namibia in to bat first.

At the toss, captain Gerhard Erasmus said that the team was feeling good ahead of the campaign opener.

"Feeling really good, our fourth consecutive World Cup," the Namibia captain said.

Namibia's playing 11 for T20 WC match agains Netherlands:

Louren Steenkamp, Jan Frylinck, Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton, Gerhard Erasmus(c), JJ Smit, Zane Green(w), Dylan Leicher, Ruben Trumpelmann, Willem Myburgh, Bernard Scholtz, Max Heingo.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
It's heartwarming to hear about India's hospitality being praised. That's our culture! Also, the growth of cricket in associate nations like Namibia is fantastic for the global game. More competitive teams make for a better World Cup.
A
Arjun K
Their journey from 2003 to now, playing four consecutive T20 WCs, is seriously impressive. Shows what passion and hard work can do. Hope they give a tough fight to everyone in the group. All the best, Namibia!
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Vikram M
Respect for the confidence, but let's be realistic. The Netherlands is a strong associate team. Namibia will need more than just belief to win. Their batting lineup looks a bit thin on paper. Hope they prove me wrong!
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Priya S
So nice to read the father's words! You can feel the pride. Cricket unites us all. Whether it's India, Namibia, or the Netherlands, the spirit of the game is what matters. Enjoy the tournament! 🏏
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Karthik V
That win against Sri Lanka in 2022 was epic! These smaller teams can spring surprises and that's what makes the T20 format so thrilling. Hope Delhi crowd supports them well. Let's go, Namibia!

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