Namibia National Cricket Team

The Namibia men's national cricket team, affectionately known as the Eagles, represents the Republic of Namibia in international cricket and is governed by Cricket Namibia. The country became an associate member of the International Cricket Council (ICC) in 1992, shortly after gaining independence in 1990. Prior to this, a team representing South West Africa competed in South African domestic competitions. Since joining the ICC, Namibia has emerged as one of the strongest associate teams in Africa, making significant progress in both One Day Internationals (ODIs) and Twenty20 formats.
Namibia's most notable early success came in 2001 when they finished as runners-up in the ICC Trophy, earning qualification for the 2003 ICC Cricket World Cup held in South Africa. The tournament marked their ODI debut, although they were unable to secure a victory. Over the years, the team has consistently featured in key ICC tournaments, including the ICC Intercontinental Cup, where they finished as runners-up in the 2007–08 edition, and the World Cricket League (WCL), where they competed at its highest levels. Namibia also made a strong impression by finishing third in the 2012 ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier, underscoring their growing presence in international cricket.

Namibia Cricket Team History

Cricket in Namibia traces its origins back to 1909 in Windhoek, during the period when South West Africa was under German colonial rule. The earliest recorded game in a wartime setting took place during World War I at the Okonjande prisoner of war camp near Otjiwarongo. After South Africa took control of the territory following Germany's defeat, cricket began to take root more firmly. The formation of the South West Africa Cricket Union in 1930 marked the beginning of organized cricket in the region. By the 1961–62 season, South West Africa was participating in the South African Country Cricket Association's annual competition, a relationship that continued until 1989. However, political unrest during Namibia’s war of independence and the global sporting boycott of apartheid South Africa disrupted the cricketing landscape. Nonetheless, cricket persisted at grassroots and regional levels.
Namibia's journey towards international recognition gained momentum in the late 1980s. In November 1989, the Namibian team played its first international fixture during a tour of Botswana, even though the Namibian Cricket Board had not yet joined the International Cricket Council (ICC). The early 1990s saw Namibia host visiting teams such as Gloucestershire and the Netherlands, coinciding with the country's independence. Cricket development was further bolstered by the formation of the SCSA Zone VI cricket federation and the staging of the inaugural African Cricket Association tournament in Windhoek in 1991. Namibia's affiliation with the ICC in 1992 paved the way for greater opportunities in international cricket. The country’s first significant breakthrough came in 2001, when Namibia reached the final of the ICC Trophy in Canada and qualified for the 2003 ICC Cricket World Cup in South Africa.
Leading up to the 2003 World Cup, Namibia began participating in several international and regional competitions to build experience. The team hosted the ICC 6 Nations Challenge in 2002 and went on tours, including one to Kenya where they secured a series win. However, results were mixed, with underwhelming performances in the Africa Cup and the Standard Bank Cup, where they failed to register a win. Bangladesh also visited in early 2003, winning a five-match ODI series 4–1. Namibia's World Cup debut came on 10 February 2003 in Harare against Zimbabwe, where they lost by 86 runs in their first official One Day International. Despite the losses, Namibia’s participation in the tournament marked a historic milestone in the nation’s cricketing journey and set the stage for further development in the years to follow.

Namibia Cricket Team Current Captain and Coaches

Gerhard Erasmus is the captain of the Namibia men's cricket team who is leading the team since 2019. Former Namibia international cricketer Craig Williams is the head coach appointed in May 2025. Former South Africa all-rounder Albie Morkel is the assistant coach. Danie Keulder is the bating coach for Namibia, the coach for the bowlers is Burton van Rooi. Sarel Burger is the fielding coach. Richard das Neves is the strength and conditioning coach. Maurice Aronsam is the team psychologist.

Namibia Cricket Team Captains List

The Namibia men's cricket team has seen several captains over the years. Deon Kotze led the team during their 2003 World Cup campaign. Stephan Baard briefly captained the side in 2019. Gerhard Erasmus has been the primary captain from 2019 to 2025, playing a key leadership role. JJ Smit and Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton also captained the team in various matches between 2021 and 2024, likely serving as stand-in or vice-captains during Erasmus’s tenure.

Namibia Cricket Team Trophies and Milestones

• ICC Intercontinental Shield Champions (2010):
  This marked a significant achievement for the team, showcasing their growth and potential. 
• 2021 T20 World Cup Victories:
  Namibia defeated the Netherlands and Ireland in their first World Cup matches, progressing to the Super 12 stage. 
• 2019 WCL Division Two Champions:
  This win secured their ODI status and qualified them for the 2019-2023 ICC Cricket World Cup League 2. 

Namibia Cricket Team Records and Honors

• ICC Men's Associate Cricketer of the Year (2024):
  Namibia's captain, Gerhard Erasmus, was named the winner of this prestigious award.
•  Fastest T20I Hundred:
  Namibia's player, Loftie-Eaton, broke the record for the fastest-ever men's T20I century.