Namibia vs. Scotland T20 World Cup Match Preview: Each team won six of their local semifinals. Then in question is Group B's leadership.
Match information
Great picture: Opportunity knocks after washout
According to the two incredibly divisive conflicts that have so far occurred in Group B of the T20 World Cup 2024, the secret number may appear to be 109.
Namibia grunted and scored two important points in Barbados on Sunday night, just as they had just managed to equal Oman's 109-run complete off the final game of their first 20 overs cheers to David Wiese's feats in the Super Over.
And next two days later, on the same area at Bridgetown ( albeit a less sluggish and thick version to justice by the fluency of Scotland's openers ) George Munsey and Michael Jones dispatched England's bowlers for 90 runs in ten overs either side of a two- hour rain delay… which, by the time DLS had worked its magic, meant England would have needed a target of, yes, 109 had the weather no closed up in to spoil the afternoon's entertainment.
And thus we return to Bridgetown, where we have two teams that have had a major impact since their respective T20 World Cup victories in 2022 ended. Last month, both Namibia and Scotland topped their local finals, in Africa and Europe both, with six gets out of six, against like less- touted critics as Italy and Tanzania. Now, however, they go head- to- head with rather more than trans- continental bragging rights to play for.
After a stunning victory over Sri Lanka in their opening game, the Netherlands and UAE ruined their T20 World Cup dream, which was two years ago. They'll be doubly keen to ensure this latest strong start does n't go to waste.
Form guide
In the spotlight: Munsey and Trumpelmann
In an innings of two halves on Tuesday, Jones made the running for Scotland prior to the rain-break, including with what looked set to be the moment of the day - a violent pick-up off Chris Jordan that smashed a solar panel on the roof at midwicket. But then, in the 22-ball resumption, it was all about George Munsey, who clobbered 23 from his remaining 12 balls, including a stunning switch-hit six that a left-handed KP could scarcely have timed any better. Namibia, however, know from recent experience that that shot is a Munsey trademark - at Kirtipur in February 2023, he unfurled a similar stroke for four to bring up his maiden ODI hundred, and seal a stunning ten-wicket win with a massive 167 balls to spare. In 2017, he scored his only first-class hundred against the same opponents, in the Intercontinental Cup in Ayr.
Munsey, however, will remember all too well what happened the last time he encountered the left-arm swing of Ruben Trumpelmannat a T20 World Cup. Facing up to the first ball of the match, in Abu Dhabi in 2021, Munsey climbed into a cut but misjudged the width, and hacked the ball onto his own stumps. Three balls later, Scotland were 2 for 3, as Calum McLeod and Richie Berrington were blasted from the crease with an aplomb to rival Mitchell Starc. And auspiciously for Namibia, Trumpelmann has started this latest tournament with similar devastation. Two balls versus Oman, two wickets in the bag, as both Kashyap Prajapati and Aqib Ilyas fell to savage, stump-seeking lbws.
Pitch and conditions:
The good news is that Barbados's weather appears to be significantly better than it has been during the tournament's opening week. Only a small chance of rain is anticipated for each day until Sunday.
Team news
Namibia came out in the end of their opening game against Oman despite suffering a scare. In the future, there might be an unchanged team.
Namibia ( probable ): 1 Michael van Lingen, 2 Nikolaas Davin, 3 Jan Frylinck, 4 Gerhard Erasmus ( capt ), 5 JJ Smit, 6 David Wiese, 7 Zane Green (wk ), 8 Malan Kruger, 9 Ruben Trumpelmann, 10 Bernard Scholtz, 11 Tangeni Lungameni
The confidence Munsey and Jones will have telegraphed through their unbroken stand should not be underestimated, despite the fact that just two Scotland players had the opportunity to experience the atmosphere of a Caribbean World Cup on Tuesday. There is no cause to believe the line-up will change significantly from the one that was anticipated for their debut film.
Scotland ( probable ): 1 George Munsey, 2 Michael Jones, 3 Brandon McMullen, 4 Richie Berrington ( capt ), 5 Matt Cross (wk ), 6 Michael Leask, 7 Chris Greaves, 8 Mark Watt, 9 Brad Wheal, 10 Chris Sole, 11 Brad Currie
Stats that matter
Namibia are playing in their third consecutive T20 World Cup, after qualifying for the 2021 and 2022 events. To date, they have won five of their twelve matches, including the most recent Super Over victory over Oman.
Namibia have beaten Scotland in each of their three previous T20Is, including their only previous clash at a World Cup- a four- wicket win at Abu Dhabi in 2021.
Scotland has won five of the six ODIs the two teams have ever competed, including the mentioned Munsey masterclass in February 2023, since then.
Quotes
" Every game at a World Cup is a big game regardless of who the opposition is, so nothing changes in terms of process and preparation. We might not have as big a crowd watching us, but we still know it's just as big a game and we need to win to really compete here".
Brad Wheal, Scotland's seamer, is braced for an important showdown.
Brad Wheal, Scotland's seamer, is braced for an important showdown.
" The associates are ready. They want to play. They're raring to go".
Rubel Trumpelmann of Namibia feels Full- Member teams could be in for a surprise later on
Rubel Trumpelmann of Namibia feels Full- Member teams could be in for a surprise later on
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