We lacked intent on the field, were off-colour with the ball: Erasmus | ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, 2024

For the first time in T20 Internationals (T20I) Scotland got the better of Namibia and it came in a crucial match at the T20 World Cup 2024 in Barbados. Skipper Gerhard Erasmus led from the front with a 31-ball 52, and some late flourish from Zane Green (28), David Wiese (14) and JJ Smit (11) took Namibia to 155.

While Erasmus believes that his side had got a total above par, he admits that they were not good enough with the ball and lacked intensity on the field to restrict Scotland.

“Thought we, for one, had enough runs,” Erasmus said at the post-match press conference. 

“And it sort of followed that formula that we wanted to win this game by winning the toss betting and in sort of a day game and it’s slowing up a little bit felt it slowed down towards the latter end of our innings and throughout the innings there was a little bit of turn and a little bit of inconsistency of bounce when you put some energy on the ball, but unfortunately a bit of off-colour display with the ball and perhaps an almost lack of intent on the field. 

“In terms of that type of energy to win the game under pressure and at a big stage, there wasn’t enough of that sort of go forward play in the field and with the ball to defend 150 and hence the Scottish boys taking advantage of that.”

The Namibian skipper believes that they could not take control of the game in the middle overs, allowing Scotland off the hook on a couple of occasions.

“I felt there were turning points through the middle period where on the slow wickets we’ve seen the games really been – won – sort of putting that stamp on the game throughout that period in the middle and I felt in the field and with a couple of softish moments in there, we couldn’t make it tough enough for the death-hitters to under pressure, falter, and perhaps make a mistake or two,” he explained.

Namibia have two points from two matches so far and have England and Australia to play next in Group B. Erasmus and Namibia will undoubtedly be looking forward to those clashes.

“We’ve come to play all four games evenly hard. There’s four more points, and we’re going to play our best game against the English and the Australians. We’ve had a warm-up game against Aussies. Got a taste of what world champions are about. White ball. Two very good white ball teams, England, and Australia. So, what a great honour for us to share a field with that and compete with ,” the skipper said.

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