"We haven't been given night training before this game": Namibia skipper Gerhard Erasmus
New Delhi, February 12
Namibia skipper Gerhard Erasmus expressed disappointment as his side was not given a light training session before their ICC Men's T20 World Cup fixture against India in New Delhi.
Namibia will take on the defending champions India on Thursday at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi.
Erasmus said it was a missed opportunity for Namibia, who don't have the infrastructure at home to play matches or even train under lights.
"We haven't got any lights in Namibia. Infrastructure-wise, it's probably the challenge for us. So yeah, it's not a casual thing. Barring the guys who have played in the Nepal Premier League, ILT20 and the World Cups we have played, you don't get accustomed to lights and train under it very often," Erasmus said on the eve of the match against India.
"Yeah, we haven't been given night training before this game. I don't know why. I think India have two night trainings and I see outside that Canada are going to have a night training now. So make of that what you want, but we'll just rock up and do our Namibian way, which is to fight," he added.
According to ESPNcricinfo, an ICC official said Namibia's request for a training session under lights had come too late.
"All teams were given the training schedules well in advance of the tournament - on 27 January - and requests for changes in timings were entertained wherever possible. However, Namibia's request came in only the previous night (February 10) - too late for us to adjust the schedule," a spokesperson said.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Reading the ICC's side, it seems Namibia's management made a late request. Rules are rules for everyone. Still, feel for the players. Hope they put up a good fight tomorrow!
It highlights the huge gap in cricket infrastructure between full members and associates. We take our stadium lights for granted. More needs to be done globally to grow the game. All the best to Namibia!
"We'll just rock up and do our Namibian way, which is to fight." What a brilliant attitude! 👏 Win or lose, they have my respect. Let's have a good game.
Practical question: If they knew they had a night game, why did the request come so late? Team management needs to be on the ball with these logistics, especially at a World Cup.
As an Indian fan, I want us to win, but I want a fair contest. Hope this doesn't become an excuse. India will dominate anyway, but let it be because of skill, not an administrative oversight. Jai Hind!
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