Namibia | The Eagles | 2003 Calendar Unveiled

[MrDependable]

United CC Clinches 2002 Namibian Pro Cricket Championship Title​

Windhoek, Namibia - In a thrilling culmination to the 2002 Namibian Pro Cricket Championship, United Cricket Club emerged triumphant, securing the coveted first-class title. The competition, where all nine 4-day matches ended in draws, witnessed an intense battle for supremacy, ultimately determined by points, first innings lead, and a novel quotient system.

United CC's victory hinged on the quotient system, edging out Affies Park CC, as both teams concluded the tournament with an equal number of points at 42. United CC boasted a quotient of 1.29, while Affies Park CC trailed slightly with a quotient of 1.08.

POINTS TABLE​

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#​	Teams​	Matches​	Won​	Drawn​	Tie​	Lost​	First Inns Lead​	Wins by an Innings​	Points​	Quotient​
1​	United CC​	6​	0​	6​	0​	0​	4​	0​	42​	1.29​
2​	Affies Park CC​	6​	0​	6​	0​	0​	4​	0​	42​	1.08​
3​	Wanderers CC​	6​	0​	6​	0​	0​	1​	0​	33​	0.71​

Quotient = Runs scored per wicket lost, divided by runs conceded per wicket taken

The newly crowned champions had earlier showcased their prowess in the Namibian National One Day Cup held in January, setting the stage for their double triumph in Namibian domestic cricket.

Individual Brilliance Shines:

• Schalk van der Vyver, the skipper of United CC, emerged as the best batter, leading from the front with an extraordinary batting display. van der Vyver amassed a staggering 1119 runs in 11 innings, crafting four half-centuries and an impressive six centuries, achieving an outstanding average of 111.9.
  
  
• Jaquan Engelbrecht, another stalwart from United CC, claimed the title of the best bowler in the tournament. Engelbrecht's 24 wickets in 10 innings, including two 5-wicket hauls, underscored his bowling prowess, with an average of 26.42.

Player of the Tournament - Schalk van der Vyver: Schalk van der Vyver's exceptional contributions throughout the tournament earned him the prestigious title of Player of the Tournament. With the highest number of centuries, and being the sole player to surpass the 1000-run mark, van der Vyver's stellar performance was the cornerstone of United CC's success.

United CC's triumph in both the Namibian Pro Cricket Championship and the Namibian National One Day Cup reflects the team's dominance and sets a benchmark for excellence in Namibian domestic cricket. The players' individual brilliance and the team's collective effort have left an indelible mark on the 2002 cricketing landscape.

 

[MrDependable]

Cricket Namibia Unveils Ambitious Calendar for 2003 Season​

Windhoek, Namibia - Cricket Namibia has revealed an expansive and dynamic calendar for the upcoming 2003 cricket season, outlining a series of domestic and international fixtures aimed at elevating the sport's profile within the country and on the global stage.

International Tours:
Namibia's international campaign will see the national team embark on a series of tours to three different countries, showcasing their talent in both Test matches and One Day Internationals (ODIs).

• Qatar Tour (February): The international season kicks off with a tour to Qatar for a thrilling three-match ODI series.
• Pakistan Tour (April/May): In April and May, Namibia will journey to Pakistan for a challenging series comprising two Test matches and three ODIs, testing their skills against one of cricket's traditional powerhouses.
• Wales Tour (September): As part of the Future Tour Programme for 2003, Namibia will conclude their international fixtures with a tour to Wales, featuring two Test matches and three ODIs, offering a chance to compete against quality opposition on Welsh soil.

Hosted Events:
Namibia will play host to significant cricketing events, including the prestigious AFCON Sahara Shield, Africa's premier Test championship, scheduled for March. Additionally, the country will host a two-match Test series against the Marshall Islands, adding to the excitement of domestic cricket fans.

Expansion of Domestic Cricket:
In a significant development, domestic cricket in Namibia is set to undergo decentralization, with the inclusion of two new clubs from the western coastal cities of Swakopmund and Walvis Bay. The addition of Walvis Bay Cricket Club and Vineta Sports Club to the domestic leagues will bolster competition and enhance opportunities for local talent.

With the inclusion of new teams, domestic leagues will see a substantial expansion. The Namibian National One Day Cup will feature an increased total of 30 matches, while the Namibian Pro Cricket Championship, the premier first-class competition in the country, will comprise a total of 20 matches, as opposed to 18 and 9 in the 2002 season respectively, offering more opportunities for players to showcase their skills.

Focus on T20 Development:
While acknowledging the emergence of T20 cricket as a popular format globally, Cricket Namibia has opted to maintain focus on existing commitments for the 2003 season. @MrDependable, the Director of Cricket Namibia, emphasized the packed calendar and expressed a cautious approach towards incorporating T20 leagues.

"T20s being a new format has its risks", he said. "We think it's a little early to have something for it in the domestic circuit. We already have a packed calendar ahead of us, and adding a new league seems unfeasible for the board at the moment. We will however try to include some T20 matches in our Development Programme with the Namibia A side, to see if it can meet the board's interest to include for the 2004 Season."

Road to the World Cup:
With the 2003 Cricket World Cup looming on the horizon, Cricket Namibia's primary objective will be to secure qualification and deliver a stellar performance throughout the year. The upcoming season promises to be a thrilling journey for cricket enthusiasts in Namibia, as the nation strives to make its mark on the global cricketing stage.

As anticipation builds for the action-packed season ahead, cricket fans across Namibia eagerly await the opportunity to witness top-quality cricketing action and support their beloved national team in their quest for excellence.