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WINDHOEK, Feb 4: Following are the pen-sketches of Namibia World Cup squad:
DEON KOTZE
Born: Sept 12, 1973. Captain. A steady right-arm off-spin bowler and useful middle order batsman, Kotze was one of Namibia’s most consistent players in their successful ICC Trophy campaign in 2001, conceding just over three runs an over during the tournament and making some valuable contributions with the bat. He has taken over as captain from Danie Keulder, with whom he runs a cricket school in Windhoek.
ANDRIES BURGER
Born: Aug 25, 1981. A top-order batsman and occasional leg-break bowler, Burger was one of the mainstays of a fragile Namibian batting order during their foray into South Africa’s domestic competition this season.
LOUIS BURGER
Born: March 12, 1978. A right-handed batsman and medium-pace bowler, Burger was a member of Namibia’s ICC Trophy squad in 2001 but he played in only one match in the country’s campaign in the South African domestic limited overs competition during the season leading up to the World Cup.
SAREL BURGER
Born: Feb 13, 1983. A promising right-arm medium-fast bowler, the younger brother of Louis Burger is the youngest member of the Namibian squad and will be looking to gain experience by playing alongside the world’s leading players.
MORNE KARG
Born: July 12, 1977. Wicket-keeper. Had a disappointing time with the bat against South African provincial teams but on his day he can be a handy middle-order batsman. One of his most vital innings was 52 against Bermuda at the ICC Trophy tournament in 2001 when Namibia surprisingly won a play-off match to gain access to the Super League stage, enabling the side to go on to win a place in the World Cup.
DANIE KEULDER
Born: Aug 2, 1973. A right-handed top-order batsman and right-arm off-spin bowler, Keulder captained Namibia to the final of the 2001 ICC Trophy tournament in Canada, his century against 1999 World Cup competitors Scotland in the semifinals was a crucial innings.
BJORN KOTZE
Born: Dec 11, 1978. A right-arm fast-medium bowler, Kotze proved his worth against some of South Africa’s best players when he took 13 wickets in five matches at an average of 13.61 to be Namibia’s leading wicket-taker in the South African provincial one-day competition.
LENNIE LOUW
Born: June 19, 1959. The veteran of the Namibian team, Louw is the only member of the squad to have played first-class cricket, although the last of his five matches for three different South African provincial teams was 20 years ago.
GAVIN MURGATROYD
Born: Oct 19, 1969. A top-order batsman capable of dominating an innings, who at one stage was Namibia’s batting mainstay, Murgatroyd made a top score of 50 in the 2001 ICC Trophy final against Holland in Toronto.
GERRIE SNYMAN
Born: April 30, 1981. A promising right-arm medium-pace bowler, Snyman took eight wickets in five matches against South African provincial teams this season to be Namibia’s second-highest wicket-taker.
STEFAN SWANEPOEL
Born: Dec 2, 1981. Brought up in the country districts, Swanepoel captained Namibia at the Under-19 World Cup team in 2000 and attended the Free State cricket academy in South Africa. A talented opening batsman who has been dismissed through his own impetuosity in the past, he played a match-winning innings of 71 when Namibia gained a surprise win over Bangladesh in a World Cup warm-up match.
BURTON VAN ROOI
Born: July 9, 1982. The slightly-built medium-pacer was one of the stars of Namibia’s ICC Trophy campaign taking six for 43 in the crucial match against Scotland which ensured Namibia’s qualification for the World Cup.
MELT VAN SCHOOR
Born: April 7, 196. One of two wicket-keepers in the squad, van Schoor will be competing with the younger Morne Karg for a place in the starting line-up. A policeman.
RUDIE VAN VUUREN
Born: Sept 20, 1972. A medical doctor, van Vuuren will become the only man to have played in both Rugby and Cricket World Cups, having been a flyhalf in the Namibian team which played in Britain and France in 1999. A medium-pace bowler, van Vuuren is regarded as one of the best fielders in the Namibian team.
RIAAN WALTERS
Born: Aug 10, 1980. An opening batsman, Walters played his part in taking Namibia through to the final of the 2001 ICC Trophy but it was his fumble at short fine leg that enabled Holland to scramble an improbable three runs off the last ball to snatch victory in the final.
Note: None of the Namibian players have appeared in One-day Internationals.—AFP
