The players trained in their backyards and driveways and sent the videos over to the fitness coach of the team for further consultation and exchange of ideas.
That’s Namibia, which, along with Scotland, is the only associate team to have made the Super 12 stage of the ongoing T20 World Cup.
Like any other full-member nation of the International Cricket Council, the Namibians too took a professional approach when Covid-19 had gripped the world last year.
“The pandemic was all over the world and we had to make do with what we have,” head coach Pierre de Bruyn recalled during a short interaction with The Telegraph.
“We were proactive in our thinking and we didn’t stand still. We knew we were up against challenges but we worked around them,” he said.
Having braved the challenges, the Namibians have also been rewarded with an automatic qualification for next year’s T20 World Cup that is scheduled to take place in Australia.
It has been more than 31 years since Namibia gained independence from South Africa, but the role of South Africans behind their progress is undeniable. De Bruyn himself is a former South African first-class cricketer while his assistant Albie Morkel used to be the Proteas’ white-ball regular and has also represented Chennai Super Kings in the IPL.
David Wiese, who is one of the key men who earned them qualification to the Super 12 stage, also is a former South Africa and Royal Challengers Bangalore all-rounder. He featured in the 2016 World T20.
“When I was appointed coach in January 2019, the first thing I wanted to get done was to have the right assistant coach. Albie and I have been friends for over 20 years, we played for a long time and he’s a guy I trusted,” De Bruyn said.
“He was the guy I felt would be perfect to complement my style and personality. Together, we’ve done everything needed to get this group to where they are now.
“Inclusion of Wiese is massive for us as a team. His experience, talent and power polished our team.
“He showed his value in our games versus the Netherlands and Ireland and is still a top player,” the head coach added.
Placed in Group II alongside heavyweights like India, Pakistan and New Zealand, Namibia begin their Super 12 campaign versus Scotland in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday.
