Staff Reporter
TWO young Namibian cricketers of vastly different backgrounds, 21-year-old Ben Shikongo from Ongombesa village in Oshikoto and Divan La Cock are expected to showcase emerging young talent to the cricket world at the T-20 World Cup in Australia.
Both are named for the squad that will open their campaign on Sunday against Sri Lanka after a fairy tale campaign saw the Eagles qualify for the Australian world showcase that will be broadcasted to billions all over the world.
Shikongo who had to overcome stiff pressure from his parent who wanted him to concentrate on soccer, “because cricket is a waste of time” made the world take notice from the bowler from Ongombesa in the Oshikoto region when he took three Irish wickets with four balls in a sensational Eagles victory in the warm-up matches.
In spite of his age, La Cock secured his spot through consistently maintaining a high strike rate in T20 cricket.
On Sunday both Namibian youngsters will take to the pitch with senior superstars and Namibian icons like captain Erasmus and Wiese for the Eagle opening match against their much fancied opponents Sri Lanka.
During the previous World Cup Namibia won the hearts of the cricket world with determined and brave cricket with Erasmus playing with a broken finger adding to the gritty reputation of Namibians.
Namibia is now one of the few countries in the world that qualified for both the cricket and rugby world cups.
It is lauded as one of the remarkable sporting achievements and proof of raw talent by a small nation that is not emulated by many bigger sporting nations of the world.
