Namibia Captain Says Team Didn't Get Enough Night Practice Before India Game

Namibia's cricket captain, Gerhard Erasmus, has shared his worries about his team's practice before their T20 World Cup game against India. He said they did not get to train at night, which he feels puts them at a disadvantage. He hopes his team will still play well.
By Newsroom | Cricket, T20 World Cup |

Uneven Preparation Ahead of High-Stakes T20 World Cup Clash

Namibia's captain, Gerhard Erasmus, has voiced significant frustration regarding his team's training schedule in the lead-up to their T20 World Cup match against India. Erasmus highlighted a lack of night training sessions, a situation he believes places Namibia at a disadvantage, particularly given the infrastructural limitations they face back home. The captain's remarks suggest a disparity in preparation opportunities, raising questions about fairness in tournament scheduling.

'Don’t Know Why': Namibia captain frustrated over lack of training under lights ahead of India match - 1

Context of Training Disparities

Namibia's match against India was scheduled as a night fixture, requiring players to adapt to playing under floodlights. However, the team's training sessions leading up to the game were held during daylight hours. This stands in contrast to the reported training schedules of other teams, notably India, who are said to have had multiple night training sessions.

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'Don’t Know Why': Namibia captain frustrated over lack of training under lights ahead of India match - 2

  • Namibia's Training Schedule: The team's practice sessions were allocated slots between 2 PM and 5 PM IST.

  • Match Conditions: The fixture against India was set to commence under lights at 7 PM IST.

  • Previous Matches: Namibia played a day match against the Netherlands earlier in the week, and their subsequent training also occurred in daylight.

  • Upcoming Fixtures: Namibia's subsequent matches against the USA and Pakistan are scheduled as afternoon games, starting at 3 PM IST.

Evidence of Training Imbalance

Multiple reports confirm Captain Erasmus's concerns and provide evidence of the disparity in training arrangements.

'Don’t Know Why': Namibia captain frustrated over lack of training under lights ahead of India match - 3

  • Erasmus's Statements: Gerhard Erasmus repeatedly stated, "We haven't been given a night training (session) before this game, I don't know why." He also noted, "I think India had two night training sessions and I see outside that Canada will have a night training now."

  • Infrastructure Limitations: Erasmus explained that Namibia lacks the necessary infrastructure, specifically floodlights, to train or play night matches in their home country. This limits players' regular exposure to such conditions.

  • Comparison with India: It is widely reported that the Indian team was afforded two night training sessions in preparation for this match.

  • Observation of Canada's Training: Namibia players observed Canada training under lights at the same venue, despite Canada's upcoming match also being a day game.

Observations on Other Teams' Training

Reports indicate that Canada, another participating team, was also observed training under lights alongside India. This observation intensified Namibia's concerns, especially since Canada's subsequent match was scheduled for an afternoon start.

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'Don’t Know Why': Namibia captain frustrated over lack of training under lights ahead of India match - 4

  • Canada's Training Slot: Canada was seen training with India during a night session.

  • Canada's Match Schedule: Canada was slated to play the UAE in an afternoon match (3 PM start) on Friday.

Deep Dives

The Challenge of Adapting to Night Conditions

The core of Namibia's concern lies in the practical implications of insufficient preparation for night games. Playing under floodlights can alter a player's perception of the ball, pitch, and overall game dynamics. For a team that rarely experiences these conditions due to domestic infrastructure, this lack of practice can be a significant impediment.

  • Limited Exposure: Only a few Namibian players with experience in leagues like the ILT20 or Nepal Premier League, or those who have played in World Cups, have had regular exposure to training and playing under lights.

  • "Casual Thing": Erasmus described training under lights as "not a casual thing" for players unaccustomed to it, underscoring its importance for optimal performance.

  • Subsequent Matches: With their remaining group games also being afternoon fixtures, the opportunity to adapt to night conditions for this specific match is a missed one.

Scheduling and Organisational Response

While Captain Erasmus has openly questioned the scheduling, there have been responses from the organising body.

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  • ICC's Stated Reason: An official from the International Cricket Council (ICC) reportedly stated that Namibia's request for a night training session came in "too late," with training schedules having been distributed on January 27.

  • Erasmus's Bewilderment: Despite the ICC's explanation, Erasmus expressed his bewilderment, stating, "Don’t know why we didn’t get to train under lights."

  • Perceived Imbalance: The captain's remarks suggest a feeling of imbalance in the preparation opportunities afforded to different teams in the tournament.

Expert Analysis

While the provided data focuses on the statements and observations of Gerhard Erasmus and other news outlets, direct expert analysis on the implications of such scheduling disparities for player performance or tournament integrity is not present in the source material. However, the accounts highlight the known importance of acclimatisation in elite sports. The lack of night training for a team facing a night game, especially when contrasted with a higher-ranked opponent having had such sessions, is a tangible point of concern for competitive balance.

Conclusion and Implications

Captain Gerhard Erasmus has articulated a clear grievance regarding Namibia's training schedule in the lead-up to their T20 World Cup match against India. The central issue is the absence of night training sessions for Namibia, while India reportedly had two such sessions. This disparity is compounded by Namibia's limited infrastructure for playing and training under floodlights back home, making adaptation a significant challenge.

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  • Namibia's Disadvantage: The team faces a disadvantage in adapting to night conditions due to a lack of relevant practice.

  • Perceived Unfairness: The situation has led to accusations of an uneven playing field and a disparity in preparation opportunities.

  • ICC's Position: The ICC has cited a late request from Namibia for the training slot.

  • Impact on Players: The lack of experience under lights could potentially affect player performance during the crucial match.

Despite these challenges, Gerhard Erasmus has indicated that the Namibian team will approach the match with determination, aiming to "put up a fight." The situation raises broader questions about scheduling protocols for associate nations in major tournaments and ensuring equitable preparation conditions.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why is Namibia's captain unhappy about training?
He is unhappy because his team did not get to train at night before their game against India.
Q: Did other teams train at night?
Yes, it is reported that India had two night training sessions. Canada was also seen training at night.
Q: Why is night training important?
Playing at night under lights can be different from playing in the day. Teams need practice to get used to it.
Q: What does Namibia's captain think about playing India?
He said his team will try their best to play well and give a good fight.