T20 WC: Netravalkar Returns As USA Opt To Bat Against Namibia

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newspoint|15-02-2026

The USA has made one change to the team as Saurabh Netravalkar comes back in place of Nosthush Keninge. While Dylan Leicher and Willem Myburgh come in place of Malan Kruger and Ben Shikongo in Namibia's line up.

After winning the toss, USA skipper Monank Patel said, "We're going to bat first. It's a very different pitch compared to the Netherlands game, so it's a red soil, and we did really well against the Netherlands batting first, so we want to continue the same momentum and make sure we put up a good score. We have one change. Saurabh comes in to play for Nosthush. I feel like it's a better pitch than what we played against the Netherlands, so I think it should be a good even bounce, and later on, coming up, we expect some more."

While Namibia captain Gerald Erasmus said, "Back-to-back first, but I don’t think it’s too much of a concern on this little bit of a wicket. So yeah, I’ve just got to, you know, suck it up, I guess. I think there’s a bit of freshness with the grass being kept on there for a bit longer today. So hopefully that second row as well and that second part of the wicket go our way.

"Yeah, we’ve got two changes. So we’ve got Leicher in for Kruger, and we’re also playing Myburgh instead of Shikongo as he’s injured. Yeah, pretty much looking for a little more all-round balance. He’s proved to be a big hitter and, you know, a great fielder and gives us that overseas option," he added.

Playing XIs

"Yeah, we’ve got two changes. So we’ve got Leicher in for Kruger, and we’re also playing Myburgh instead of Shikongo as he’s injured. Yeah, pretty much looking for a little more all-round balance. He’s proved to be a big hitter and, you know, a great fielder and gives us that overseas option," he added.

Also Read: Live Cricket Score

Namibia: Jan Frylinck, Louren Steenkamp, Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton, Gerhard Erasmus (c), JJ Smit, Zane Green (wk), Dylan Leicher, Ruben Trumpelmann, Willem Myburgh, Bernard Scholtz, Max Heingo

Article Source: IANS