‘We are going to cause an upset’ - Namibia board CEO bullish for T20 World Cup
(Reuters) - Cricket Namibia (CN) has a clear strategy to become a force in world cricket: follow the money. Not only is it paying off, but it has led them to this year’s Twenty20 World Cup.
Namibia kick off their campaign against Sri Lanka in Abu Dhabi today, ending nearly two decades in elite cricket wilderness since appearing in the 50-overs showpiece in 2003.
“We are in a very strong pool with Ireland, Netherlands and Sri Lanka but we’re definitely going there with the mindset of, ‘We are going to cause an upset’,” CN chief executive officer, Johan Muller, told Reuters.
“(If we) qualify for the second phase of the World Cup and automatically qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Australia, that’ll be our pinnacle, that is what we aim for.”
The team’s T20 record stands at 18-4 over the last couple of years, bolstered by wins against Botswana, Uganda and other minnows. Lack of high-quality fixtures is a perennial problem facing emerging teams, but Muller explained that for his side to achieve better outcomes they need a strong financial footing.
Until 2018, Namibia paid Cricket South Africa to compete in their senior provincial league. Withdrawing was a major cost-saver.
“We made a conscious decision,” he remarked, “to move out of three-day cricket and completely leave any red-ball cricket.
“White-ball cricket will get us into higher-level worldwide competitions.”
Namibia has also been aggressive in pursuit of increased annual International Cricket Council grants, buoyed by their T20 World Cup qualification and their reclaimed one-day international status in 2019.
“Prior to ODI status we would receive about $500,000 to $550,000 USD ... (then) it moved slightly up to about $1.1 million.
“If we perform well (in ICC World Cricket League Division 2) ... we qualify for another three years of sustainable funding.”
CN even set up a production team so that home matches could be sold to broadcasters in the lucrative Indian market and Africa too.
“About 10% of our income is generated from the local sponsorship market,” Muller said.
To keep performing at a high level, especially in ICC events which unlock additional funding, the board’s next challenge is creating a consistent pipeline of future players in the sparse nation of 2.5 million people.
“It’s a country that’s reliant on farming and tourism as economic drivers, so sport overall has not been seen as an avenue to create any sort of a job opportunity.”
CN are banking on that perception changing.
Irving is not the only point guard who has generated attention during a busy offseason, which saw a flurry of moves at the sport’s most important position.
The dynamic Russell Westbrook has joined the Los Angeles Lakers, the rapidly improving Lonzo Ball has gone to the Chicago Bulls, and the tenacious Kyle Lowry is now a member of the Miami Heat.
Former player and coach turned ESPN commentator Mark Jackson said it will be fascinating to see those players adapt to their new environments.
Playing alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis, Westbrook gives the Lakers a “legitimate chance” to win it all, Jackson said.
Ball brings size and shooting ability to the Bulls and will benefit from playing alongside veteran forward DeMar DeRozan while Lowry is an elite point guard who adds “toughness” to the Heat squad, he said.
“I think across the board as a fan of the NBA, it’s an awesome time, and teams have really put themselves in position to improve, some to have a chance to win it all, some to make the playoffs,” Jackson said.
“It’ll be an entertaining season.”