Namibia vs Scotland
Bridgetown, 8pm local
Big picture: opportunity knocks after the washout
Judging by the two contrasting clashes so far in Group B of the 2024 T20 World Cup, the magic number appears to be 109.
In Barbados on Sunday evening, Namibia grumbled with two precious points thanks to David Wise’s heroics in the Super Over as Oman could only manage 109 off the last ball of their original 20 overs.
Two days later, on the same surface at Bridgetown (a less slow and sticky version judging by the fluency of Scotland’s openers), George Munsey and Michael Jones sent England bowlers to 90 in ten overs in the space of two hours. Rain delay … This, by the time DLS worked its magic, England would have needed a goal, yes, 109 had the weather not closed in again to ruin the afternoon’s entertainment.
We return to Bridgetown for the last T20 World Cup in 2022 for two teams who have been on significant rolls since the end of their respective campaigns. Last year, both Namibia and Scotland topped Africa and Europe in their regional qualifiers. With six wins out of six, respectively, against less-than-proud opponents like Italy and Tanzania. Now, however, they go head-to-head with more trans-continental bragging rights to play for.
England’s usual discomfort against European opponents He has seen that. Whether Tuesday’s washout was a chance gained or lost for Scotland, the fact that Group B’s top seed fell two points short of their expectations leaves the door open for significant upset, especially if Australia do further damage to England’s standings. Heavyweight Clash.
Meanwhile, the only thing that matters here right now is winning. If Scotland can grab the extra point they missed last time, keep it
100% record in T20Is against Oman They will go into next week’s final group game against Australia with qualification on their hands when they meet in Antigua on Sunday. It’s a lot of „ifs” at this point, of course. But it was one short of what they needed at the start of their campaign.
For Namibia, three points adrift in Group B means they can make it two wins from two – and if they need any further incentive, they need to go back to their last T20 World Cup campaign two years ago. Qualifying for the main tournament, after their impressive win over Sri Lanka in their opening match, only the Netherlands and the United Arab Emirates dashed their dream. They will be doubly keen to ensure this recent strong start is not wasted.
Namibia Dowl (Last five matches; most recent first)
Scotland LWLWW
Note: Muncy and Trumpelman
In one inning of two halves on Tuesday, Jones ran for Scotland before a rain break, including the moment of the day — a violent pick-up by Chris Jordan that shattered a solar panel. Roof over midwicket. But then, on the 22-ball restart, that was about it George Muncie, scored 23 off the remaining 12 balls, including a stunning switch-hit six off left-hander K.P. Couldn’t have picked a better time. However, Namibia knows from recent experience that that shot is the hallmark of Munsey – in February 2023 at Kirtipur, he bowled a similar stroke for four to bring up his maiden ODI century in a stunning ten-wicket victory in 167 balls. to save In 2017, he scored his only first-class century against the same opposition in the Intercontinental Cup in Ireland.
Muncy, however, will remember well what happened the last time he faced a left-handed swing. Reuben TrumpelmanIn the T20 World Cup. Facing the first ball of the 2021 tournament in Abu Dhabi, Munsey stepped into a cut but misjudged the width and hacked the ball onto his own stumps. After three balls, Scotland were 2 for 3 as Callum McLeod and Richie Berrington were bowled to challenge Mitchell Starc from the crease. Fortunately for Namibia, Trumpelman has started this latest tournament with similar ferocity. Against Oman, two balls in, two wickets in the bag, Kashyap Prajapati and Akib Ilyas both fell on wild, stump-seeking lbws.
The good news is that the weather in Barbados is significantly better than it was during the first week of the tournament. Only a light shower is expected each day through Sunday.
Namibia endured a scare in their opening match against Oman, but eventually prevailed. The unchanged team can field.
Namibia (Probable): 1 Michael Van Lincoln, 2 Nicolas Davin, 3 John Freilink, 4 Gerhard Erasmus (Captain), 5 JJ Schmidt, 6 David Wise, 7 Jane Green (Week), 8 Malan Kruger, 9 Ruben Trumpelman, 10 Bernard Schold , 11 Tangeni Lunghameni
Two Scots modeled the atmosphere at the Caribbean World Cup on Tuesday, but hope Munsey and Jones will have sent a message through their unbroken stance should not be underestimated. There is no reason to think there will be any changes to the line-up believed for their maiden voyage.
Scotland (Probable): 1 George Muncie, 2 Michael Jones, 3 Brandon McMullan, 4 Richie Berrington (capt), 5 Matt Cross (week), 6 Michael Leask, 7 Chris Greaves, 8 Mark Watt, 9 Brad Weale, 10 Chris Soule, 11 Brad Currie
„Every game in the World Cup is a big game regardless of who the opponent is, so nothing will change in terms of process and preparation. We won’t have a big crowd to watch us, but we know it’s a big game. We have to win to compete here.”
Brad WheelScotland’s Seamer is set for a crucial clash.
