Eagles head coach Pierre de Bruyn is brimming with confidence that his charges will be more than ready to go toe-to-toe with Oman and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) when the much-anticipated Castle Lite Series gets underway today in the capital.

The tri-nations series will officially kick off today and run until 6 December, and will see the Eagles – as Namibia’s senior cricket side is affectionately known – battling it out against visiting Oman and the UAE in the 50 Overs at the Wanderers field. 

The Castle Lite Series, which is an ICC World Cup League 2 tournament, forms part of the qualification pathway to the 2023 Cricket World Cup. 

Speaking to New Era Sport yesterday, De Bruyn admitted that expectations are very high after the country’s impressive run at the recent T20 ICC World Cup in Dubai, where the Namibians put up a respectable show against some of the world’s top sides such as India, New Zealand and Pakistan.

“There is momentum on our side, which we need to use in a clever way. But we also need to understand that the World Cup is done and dusted, and we need to refocus on this series, which is an important One Day International (ODI),” he said. 

Namibia will be without their skipper Gerhard Erasmus as well as key player David Wiesel, who were both very instrumental in Namibia’s good run at the World Cup. But the gaffer said it will be an opportunity for the other players to step in and strut their stuff.

“We understand that we are missing two key players in captain Erasmus and Wiese, but for me it’s a great opportunity for two other players to put their hands up in those roles and announce themselves. Give or take, we are going to miss those guys, but we have got back-up to fill those roles,” he added.

The fixtures: 

Today, 26 November 

Eagles v Oman

27 November 

Eagles v Oman

29 November

Oman v UAE

30 November

Eagles v UAE

02 December

Oman v UAE

04 December 

Eagles v Oman

05 December 

Eagles v UAE

06 December 

Oman v UAE

-mkambukwe@nepc.com.na