Former South Africa all-rounder David Wiese talked about his “deep” historic connection with Namibia as he enters his second successive T20 World Cup but for the neighbouring African country.
Wiese, who was part of Proteas’ squad at the 2016 T20 World Cup, is representing Namibia in the tournament’s latest iteration in the United Arabic Emirates.
On Monday, the middle-order batter and right-arm seam bowler made a debut appearance in a World Cup for his adopted country against the Sri Lankans in Abu Dhabi.
For people outside, Wiese may seem one of many South African cricketers who have left their national side in recent years to search for opportunities elsewhere. But the cricketer himself feels he is only going back to his roots, given his historic family relation with Namibia.
“My family comes from Namibia. My dad was born there and I still have family there, so my ties are quite deep,”
he told BBC.
The 36-year-old added that he had good conversations with Cricket Namibia about a chance to represent them internationally even before he was selected to play for South Africa back in the day.
“Even before I got selected for South Africa, I’d had conversations with Cricket Namibia. I had some good conversations with coaches Pierre de Bruyn (Namibia head coach) and Albie Morkel (assistant coach), who I know quite well. I felt so fortunate and grateful,”
Wiese last played for South Africa back in 2016 and is making his comeback to the international stage after five years. In between, he became a Kolpak player with English county championship club Sussex after signing a three-year deal. That deal was brought to a close with Brexit.
He has also been active in various T20 leagues around the world and is considered an invaluable addition to a Namibian side that is making its T20 World Cup debut in the Middle East.
Namibia made a losing start to their campaign, going down heavily to Sri Lanka in a Group A preliminary round fixture in Abu Dhabi. They next face the Netherlands, who lost to Ireland, in a virtual knock-out encounter at the same venue on October 20.
Learn more 👉 Sri Lanka off to winning start, dominate Namibia in Abu Dhabi
