Namibia blend youth and experience for home T20 tri-series against Proteas and Zimbabwe

Captain Gerhard Erasmus will lead a side featuring established names including Jan Frylinck, JJ Smit, Jan-Nicol Loftie-Eaton, Ruben Trumpelmann and Bernard Scholtz. Former South Africa allrounder Justin Kemp, appointed Namibia's Director of Cricket in June, will assist head coach Craig Williams.

Michael van Lingen is among the notable inclusions after returning to international cricket last month following his retirement in 2024. The left-hander has not played a T20I since the 2024 World Cup and could open alongside 21-year-old Junior Taanyanda, who was the leading run-scorer in Namibia's June tri-series.

Namibia have also included teenage seamers Max Heingo and Waldo Smith, while JC Balt will be one to watch after emerging as their leading bowler in their most recent T20I series. Allrounder Alex Busing-Volschenk is another promising option.

Namibia have won five of their seven T20Is since the 2026 Men's T20 World Cup and will use the tournament as preparation for their 2027 ODI World Cup campaign and push towards the 2028 T20 World Cup.

The tri-series, which will also feature a final between the top two teams, is intended as an early step towards a planned Africa Cup in 2027. South Africa's squad includes Dewald Brevis, Lhuan-dre Pretorius and Kwena Maphaka, while Zimbabwe are yet to announce their squad.

South Africa will remain in Namibia for three ODIs on September 9, 11 and 13, which will be Namibia's first home bilateral ODI series against their neighbours.

Namibia squad: Gerhard Erasmus (capt), Michael van Lingen, Zane Green, Bernard Scholtz, Ruben Trumpelmann, JJ Smit, Jan Frylinck, Louren Steenkamp, Malan Kruger, Jack Brassell, Max Heingo, Alex Busing-Volschenk, Junior Taanyanda, Jan-Nicol Loftie-Eaton, JC Balt, Waldo Smith.

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