Louis Burger is back as captain of the Namibian cricket team which will face Zimbabwe in their SAA Challenge and Cup matches at Windhoekâ??s Wanderers field this weekend.
Namibia play Zimbabwe A in the three day SAA Challenge competition from January 10 to 12 and in the One Day SAA Cup competition on January 13.
Burger has been out of action since the start of the cricket season in October 2007 due to a recurrent calf muscle injury. He is however back to full fitness and his return will definitely boost the teamâ??s chances.
Burger is one of Namibiaâ??s most experienced players, having already represented Namibia at the 2003 World Cup, while he is one of the leading all-rounders in the team.
In last yearâ??s SAA competition Burger was one of Namibiaâ??s best batsmen, while he is also a very reliable seam bowler who has even opened the innings on occasion.
Burgerâ??s younger brother, Sarel also returns to the team after a lengthy absence due to studies.
Burger has returned to Windhoek after recently completing his studies at the Free State University, and he, too, is back in the team for the first time this season.
Kotze brothers unavailable
The Burger brothersâ?? return is however offset by the unavailability of the experienced Kotze brothers, Deon and Bjorn for the three-day SAA Challenge match. Deon, who formerly captained and coached Namibia, and younger brother Bjorn, who captained Namibia in the ICC World Cricket League Division 2 competition last month, both miss the SAA Challenge match due to work commitments.
They will however both return for the one-day SAA Cup match on January 13.
Namibiaâ??s three day team boasts a strong batting lineup with experienced players like JB Burger, Gerhard Rudolph, Gerrie Snyman and Craig Williams being joined by exciting young prospects like Raymond van Schoor, Dawid Botha and LP van der Westhuizen, who will all represent Namibia at the Cricket Junior World Cup in Malaysia next month.
Namibia also has a lot of depth in bowling with seam bowlers like Kola Burger, Louis Klazinga, Gerrie Snyman, Louis and Sarel Burger and Craig Williams, and spin bowlers LP van der Westhuizen and Wilbur Slabber.
Namibia struggling
After making a great impact in their debut season last year, Namibia is currently struggling in this seasonâ??s SAA competitions and will have to beat Zimbabwe if they hope to make an impact in the tournament. But Zimbabwe A are also struggling and Namibia will be confident of victory on their home ground.
Namibiaâ??s currently second last in the SAA Challenge competition on 22,62 points from three matches, while Zimbabwe are last on 19,18 points from three matches.
In the SAA Cup competition, Namibia are last with only two points from three matches, while Zimbabwe are second last on four points from three matches.
The Namibian team for the SAA Challenge match is as follows:
JB Burger, Dawid Botha, Gerhard Rudolph, Gerrie Snyman, Louis Burger (captain), Craig Williams, Sarel Burger, LP van der Westhuizen, Tobie Verwey, Kola Burger, Louis Klazinga, Wilbur Slabber and Raymond van Schoor.
Deon and Bjorn Kotze will return for the SAA Cup match where they will replace Wilbur Slabber and Raymond van Schoor.