GEELONG, Australia: Namibia’s overwhelming ambush against Sri Lanka in Sunday’s T20 World Cup opener arose from the experience of playing the big dogs of cricket in the United Arab Emirates last year, according to captain Gerhard Erasmus.
The African associated team enjoyed their finest international victory in front of thousands of Sri Lankan fans at Kardinia Park in Geelong as they defeated the 2014 champions by 55 runs.
It came a year after Erasmus’ side upset Test nation Ireland to secure a place in the Super 12 and take on world powers Pakistan, New Zealand and India.
At that tournament, Sri Lanka beat Namibia by seven wickets in their first qualifier.
“If you look at last year’s game, the tables have turned,” an enthusiastic Erasmus told reporters.
“To be honest I think last year before this game there was more childish belief.
“I think this year has been more like ‘We’ve played at that level and we can relate to that level mentally now, we can show ability physically now’.
“We saw it, we tasted it.
“Getting the actual physical feel of what it’s like, I think that’s really what gave us the belief this time around that this is a cricket game and if we perform that day we have a good chance.”
Namibia will look to repeat last year’s journey into the Super 12 by beating the Netherlands in their remaining Group A qualifiers in Geelong on Tuesday and the United Arab Emirates at the same venue two days later.
With a quick turnaround between games, the team must keep the celebrations in check.
“From our point of view, it’s going to take a massive mental reset because you can get carried away by celebrations and historical events like this,” Erasmus said.
“(It is) a massive event in our lives and as such it should be celebrated.
“But…we’ll push the celebrations out a bit, I guess. It’s just the beginning of the tournament.”