Namibia does not qualify
Rudi Bowe
The Namibia national under-19 cricket team failed to qualify for the 2020 Under-19 World Cup in South Africa.
Namibia national under-19 cricket team has qualified for the Under-19 World Cup on nine occasions, more than any other associate member of the International Cricket Council (ICC) with the team’s best performance at the 2016 Under-19 World Cup in Bangladesh, where it defeated defending champions South Africa in the group stage and eventually placed seventh.
Over the course of the week, the ICC under 19 Cricket World Cup, Africa qualifying tournament was a roaring success with some terrific skill on display over the five days of action, and a mention must be made of Cricket Namibia, for quality surfaces and seamless logistics throughout. Despite failing to qualify for next year’s World Cup, Cricket Namibia was congratulated for hosting a fine performance.
The tournament went down to the wire with Namibia needing to beat Kenya on the final day while hoping for a favour from the Leone Stars in the derby against Nigeria. After Namibia dispatched Kenya, all eyes turned to the WAP-Affies field to see if Nigeria could handle the pressure.
Notable centuries included Namibia’s Matthew de Gouveia, who notched 102 not out against Sierra Leone, which was full of excellent strokes. Ramon Wilmot, also of Namibia, made a brilliant 132 against Tanzania, and the host’s in general scored heavily throughout the week. Jan Izak de Villiers (Namibia) had a good week with the ball, finishing on 11 wickets apiece.
Individual prizes were:
Batsman of the tournament was the Namibian captain Divan la Cock. He scored 271 runs, over five matches, with three half-centuries with an average of 54, while leading his side with aplomb. Namibian bowler Mauritius Ngupita was crowned as the Bowler of the tournament with an overall haul of 15 wickets for 71 runs from 37.1 overs, he took his scalps at an astonishing average of 4,71. He also had an economy rate of just 1, 91 to the over, as his unerring control hit the spot again and again.
Player of the tournament went to the Nigeria captain Sylvester Okpe. He led demonstratively, taking nine wickets during the week. More than the wickets, he mixed up his attack expertly, and kept the team calm when they closed in on history. His spell against Namibia on the first day was telling, as he rifled through the middle-order.
Congratulations to Nigeria for winning the tournament of the U/19 Cricket World Cup African Qualifier Division 1 Tournament and qualify for their first cricket World Cup. Well done Namibia U/19 team for being the runners up of the qualifiers.
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