Erasmus’ worth recognised at Cricket Namibia Awards

The superb all-round contribution and consistency of Gerhard Erasmus earned him a handful of trophies at the Cricket Namibia Awards 2023-2024 on Friday.

The Namibian captain and his Richelieu Eagles squad departed on Saturday morning for their upcoming triangular tournament in Scotland (also involving Oman), as part of the 2024–2026 ICC World Cup League Two series.

The previous evening, Erasmus was deservedly named the senior men’s team player of the year, while also voted the players’ player of the year.

Additionally, the stats of Erasmus’ on-field performances also earned him recognition as the Eagles ODI Player of the Year (12 wickets, average 10, economy 3.5). Furthermore, he also excelled at the recent ICC T20 World Cup, winning the team’s best batter award (102 runs) as well as the Eagles’ player of the tournament (4 wickets, economy 7.3)

Finally, the Eagles’ T20 player of the year award was also received by their 29-year-old captain, who finished the period under review with 462 runs at an average 33, and 28 wickets (average 11, economy 5.1)

The most improved national Eagles player was promising seam bowler Jack Brassell (U19 World Cup and senior T20 World Cup), while the best Eagles best bowler at the T20 World Cup was left-arm fast bowler Ruben Trumpelmann (7 wickets).



DAVID WIESE

Cricket Namibia also said thank you and honoured the retiring David Wiese with a special recognition award for his contribution to the team’s success at three consecutive World Cups (UAE 2021 / Australia 2022 / West Indies 2024), making significant contributions to the team with both bat and ball.

At his farewell in the West Indies, Wiese won Namibia their opener against Oman in a super over after the scores were tied initially. Despite being over-powered by England, he finished off blasting 27 off just 12 balls (2x4 2x6) before announcing his international retirement at the age of 39 years.



CAPRICORN EAGLES

In the women’s game, Yasmeen Khan took most of the honours as she was awarded Capricorn Eagles Player of the Year, as well as Batter of the Year, with a total of 365 runs in the calendar year.

Khan’s contribution included 194 runs in the series which the Namibian women won 4-2 against United Arab Emirates in Dubai (strike rate 120 / average 38).

The Capricorn Eagles Bowler of the Year is Kayleen Green, with 18 wickets (average 11.05), while wicketkeeper Mezerley Gorases won the players player of the year award.

The junior women’s best batter of the year is Mekelaye Mwatile, who recorded 129 runs (average 64,5), while the junior best bowler accolade was received by Veronika Tobias (9 wickets, economy 5.18).



DOMESTIC CLUB LEAGUES

T20 Premier Two, Top batter: Marco Malan (Pro Ed Old Boys, 185 runs). Top bowler: Nicolaas Scholtz (Wanderers 2, 12 wickets).

T20 Premier League, Top batter: JP Kotze (WHS Old Boys, 254 runs). Top bowler: Tangeni Lungameni (WHS Old Boys, 12 wickets )

40-Over Premier Two, Top batter: Wessel Myburgh (Wanderers 2, 174 runs). Top bowler: Herschelle van Schalkwyk (Wanderers 2, 16 wickets).

50-Over Premier League, Top batter: Stephen Baard (CCD, 228 runs). Top bowler: Ben Shikongo (CCD, 16 wickets).



T20 LEAGUE WINNERS

2nd Division Coastal: Pro-Ed Old Boys II.

2nd Division Central, Group B: Shaheen Titans.

2nd Division Central, Group A: Tsumeb Old Boys.

1st Division Coastal: JCCA 1.

1st Division Central: Trustco United III.

Premier Two: Wanderers II.

Premier League: WHS Old Boys 1.



ONE-DAY LEAGUE WINNERS

2nd Division Coastal (30 overs): JCCA 2.

2nd Division Central, Group B (30 overs): WHS Old Boys III.

2nd Division Central, Group A (30 overs): Tsumeb Old Boys.

1st Division Coastal (30 overs): Blue Waters 1.

1st Division Central (30 overs): Gobabis 1.

Premier Two (40 overs): Wanderers 2.

Premier League (50 overs): Wanderers 1.

Club coach of the Year: Gerhard Lotter (Wanderers, won Premier 50, Premier 40 & Premier Two T20’s).



RICHELIEU T20 FRANCHISE

Winning team: Windhoek Jets.

Top batter: Jan Frylinck (330 runs). Top bowler: Nicol Loftie-Eaton (11 wickets). Best all-rounder: Jan Frylinck. Player of the tournament: Jan Frylinck.



ASHBURTON KWATA PROGRAM

Development Officer of the Year: Johannes Joseph.

Coach of the Year: Silas Nangombe (Eehangano Primary School).

School of the Year: Heroes Private School.



NATIONAL SCHOOLS’ LEAGUE WINNERS

U11 School League: Windhoek Afrikaanse Privaatskool.

U/13 School League: Gobabis Gymnasium.

U/15 School League: Windhoek Afrikaanse Privaatskool A.

U19 School League: Windhoek Gymnasium.



NATIONAL SCHOOLS WEEK

U11 male batter of the year: Gillmer Horn (465 runs).

U11 male bowler of the year: Maritz Laubscher (13 wickets).

U13 male batter of the year: Matt du Toit (122 runs).

U13 male bowler of the year: Henco Rupping (9 wickets).

U13 female batter of the year: Maria Elia (92 runs).

U13 female bowler of the year: Lelie Khumus (8 wickets).

U15 male batter of the year: Henry Opperman (136 runs).

U15 male bowler of the year: Janko Engelbrecht (8 wickets).

U19 male batter of the year: Gerhard Janse van Rensburg (306 runs).

U19 male bowler of the year: Max Heingo (9 wickets).

U19 female batter of the year: Rianie Esterhuyzen (163 runs).

U19 female bowler of the year: Sela Shiimi (13 wickets).

School coach of the year: Keith Kondo (Gobabis Gymnasium).

School administrator of the year: Fungayi Hlupo.



CRICKET NAMIBIA OFFICIALS

Groundsman of the year: Gerson Nambagu.

Scorer of the year: Cecilia Manyande (senior clubs), Nicole Griffiths (junior clubs), Elma Kriel (schools North), Lize Engelbrecht (schools Central), Herman Grobler (schools coastal).

Umpire of the year: Claus Schumacher (seniors), Willem Prinsloo (most improved), Eloise du Plooy (women umpire), Hermann Rust (rookie umpire).

Administrator of the Year: Pieka Brassell.

Ten years employee service: Wilhelm Tuhafeni.

Coach of the year: Oscar Nauhaus.

Spirit of Cricket Award – U19 men's national team, the Walvis Bay Salt Eagles, who qualified for the U19 World Cup held in South Africa, captained by Alexander Volschenk.