Titans announces winter tour of Namibia

The Multiply Titans will embark on a maiden tour of Namibia later this month for a two-match exhibition T20 tournament, presented by Windhoek Beer in association with Cricket Namibia.

The two fixtures are scheduled to take place on 28 June at Sparta Cricket Club in Walvis Bay (13:30) and Sunday, 30 June at Trustco United Sports Field in Windhoek at 13:00.
Supported by the official tour airline partner, Kulula.com, the Sky Blues arrive in Windhoek on 26 June.
The squad will then head to Swakopmund and spend three days on the west coast before heading back to the capital for the remainder of the week long tour.
This will be the first visit by the Centurion franchise to Namibia, and Titans Cricket chief executive, Dr Jacques Faul, is looking forward to breaking new ground with an emerging cricket nation.
“We are pleased to confirm this trip, which will play an integral part in our efforts to expand the global footprint of the Titans brand. Namibia is a proud cricketing nursery, and we look forward to sharing our love for the game with them.
“I want to thank Cricket Namibia, as well as our tour partners, for their cooperation. As a country, Namibia has a lot to offer, so I’m sure that the squad will be looking forward to exploring their surrounds beyond the cricket,” Faul said.
The tour will kick-start winter training, as the Titans look to shake off the cobwebs after a two-month break, fol-lowing the conclusion of the 2018/19 season.
With a number of players currently abroad and on international duty at the ICC Cricket World Cup, a 10-man squad will travel. The tour will also give young school cricketers an exciting opportunity to take to the field alongside the Sky Blues.
Dian Neethling and Ettienne Beukes of Walvis Bay Private High School have been named in the squad to play in the opening T20, while Michael Laubscher (Windhoek Gymnasium) and Di-van La Cock (Windhoek High School) will feature in the second match. The Titans will be bolstered by the return of Albie Morkel, who will make one final outing in the Sky Blues’ colours in the tournament decider.
“The tour will provide a good opportunity for the guys spend some quality time, so that when the guys return to Centurion, they are ready to hit the ground running, as we prepare for upcoming season,” said Faul.
“It is also a final opportunity to say goodbye to Albie in a Titans shirt, so it is a special occasion.”
Namibia, who recently progressed through to the Twenty 20 World Cup Global Qualifiers and gained ODI status, are likely to field an invitational team. And there will be one familiar face in the opposing dressing room in former Titans stalwart and now Namibia head coach, Pierre de Bruyn.
“We are very proud to welcome the Titans, as they have set standards to aspire to on and off the field. We look for-ward to a long and fruitful association,” said De Bruyn.
Following the announcement, one lucky fan will have the chance to ‘Tour with the Titans’. The prize includes flights, accommodation and VIP hospitality. More details will be announced soon on the Titans Cricket social media platforms.
The tour schedule is as follows – Wednesday, 26 June: Arrive in Windhoek and travel to Swakopmund. Thurs-day 27 June they will be at Auas Motors Walvis Bay from 17:00-18:00 Friday 28 June: T20 match vs Namibia at Sparta Cricket Club, Walvis Bay (13:30 start). Saturday 29 June: Travel to Windhoek. Sunday, 30 June: T20 match vs Namibia at United Cricket Club, Windhoek (13:00 start). Wednesday, 3 July: The team will return to South Africa.
Tour partners: Windhoek Beer (title sponsor), Dros (restaurant partner), Fresh FM (radio partner), Isuzu (associate partner), IXU (apparel partner), Jacc FM (radio partner), Kulula.com (air-line partner), Momentum (associate partner), Nictus (logistics partner), Omega (associate partner), Quatro Clean-ing (associate partner) and Radiowave (radio partner).
The squad that will represent the Eagles in the coast on 28 June are; Stephen Baard, JP Kotze, Lohan Louwrens, Merwe Erasmus (Capt.), Zane Green, Karl Birkenstock, PikkieYa France, Jan Frylinck (Vice-Capt.), JJ Smit, Mauritius Ngupita, Ben Shikongo, and Matthew Stander. The coastal team will be managed by Dee Thakur, the Head Coach will be Lauritz Haccou and he will be assisted by Coach Fortune Matawu.