Having already toppled the likes of Zimbabwe, Ireland, and Sri Lanka in the past, Namibia showed they were no one-hit wonder by pulling off a stunning four-wicket victory over South Africa in a thrilling one-off T20I. The game delivered a series of historic firsts: the first international clash between Namibia and South Africa, Namibia’s maiden victory over the Proteas, and the first international match held at the new Namibia Cricket Ground (NCG) in Windhoek.
In front of the 4,000-capacity crowd at the NCG, history was made by Gerhard Erasmus and his team. Even though they were up against a second-string South African side, the odds were stacked against the home team. The Namibians defied expectations and carved out a historic win, which was followed by a lap of honour. It meant a great deal to the home team.
Just a week earlier, Namibia had sealed their berth for next year’s T20 World Cup. A week later, they scripted one of their most famous victories.
One of the architects of the win was Ruben Trumpelmann. The left-arm quick claimed three wickets while conceding just 28 runs in his four-over spell. Generally, Trumpelmann opens the bowling with the new ball, but in this match, Erasmus introduced him as the second-change bowler. In his first over, Trumpelmann dismissed the experienced Reeza Hendricks. Rubin Hermann, who looked good for his 23, fell during Trumpelmann’s second over. Bowling the penultimate over of the innings, he also removed South Africa’s top-scorer, Jason Smith. Trumpelmann got good support from the other bowlers.
Erasmus set the tone early with the prized wicket of Quinton de Kock. The Proteas opener couldn’t celebrate his return to international cricket in style, as he was dismissed in the first over of the match. After that, the inexperienced South African batting line-up failed to get their act together on what was a slow wicket. Hermann and Smith got starts but couldn’t convert them. At one point, South Africa were 82 for 6. If not for Smith’s 31 and his 37-run partnership with Bjorn Fortuin, the hosts might have wrapped up the innings much earlier.
Namibia didn’t start well with the bat, losing two quick wickets in the opening overs. Despite the early stumble, they managed 46 runs in the Powerplay. After the first three batters were dismissed for single-digit scores, the middle order stepped up. Erasmus, JJ Smit, and Malan Kruger all reached double figures, taking the game deep.
With 23 runs needed off the last two overs, birthday boy Zane Green scored 22 runs, including a boundary off the final ball to take his team home. Celebrating with him at the non-striker’s end was Trumpelmann, who remained unbeaten on 11.
South Africa missed Gerald Coetzee, who left the field after bowling just nine deliveries in the second innings due to a suspected pectoral muscle injury.
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