T20 World Cup: Gerhard Erasmus at ease ahead of Namibia's vital game against UAE

Victory in final group game in Geelong would mean second successive appearance in Super 12

JJ Smit celebrated the wicket of Chamika Karunaratne during the T20 World Cup match between Sri Lanka and Namibia at Kardinia Park in Geelong on October 16, 2022. AFP

Gerhard Erasmus celebrates after Namibia seal victory against Sri Lanka. AP

Namibia's players celebrate their win over Sri Lanka. AP

Namibia's JJ Smit, centre, celebrates with teammates after the wicket of Sri Lanka's Chamika Karunaratne. AP

Namibia's Jan Frylinck bowls to Sri Lanka's Dushmantha Chameera. AP

Sri Lanka's Chamika Karunaratne, right, walks as batting partner Maheesh Theekshana watches during their T20 World Cup Cricket match against Namibia. AP

Namibia's Bernard Scholtz collides with Sri Lanka's Chamika Karunaratne as he fields the ball. AFP

Namibia's Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton takes a catch to dismiss Sri Lanka's Wanindu Hasaranga. AFP

Sri Lanka's Pramod Madushan is run out during the match against Namibia. AFP

Namibia's Jan Frylinck bats during the match against Sri Lanka. AFP

Namibia's Ben Shikongo appeals during the match at Kardinia Park. AFP

Cricket fans wave Sri Lankan flags during the T20 World Cup Cricket match between Sri Lanka and Namibia. AP

Namibia's Jan Frylinck bats during the match at Kardinia Park. AFP

Namibia's Jan Frylinck bats against Sri Lanka. AP

Namibia's Jan Frylinck, left, plays a shot in front of Sri Lanka's Kusal Mendis. AP

From the demeanour of the captain, Gerhard Erasmus, on the eve of the big day in Geelong, it was difficult to tell there is T20 World Cup survival on the line.

If Namibia beat UAE at Kardinia Park on Thursday night, they will advance to the Super 12. Lose, and they go home.

If there are nerves within their camp, Erasmus was not showing it, as he trotted out a few bars of “Sweet Caroline” to fill a delay before the pre-match press conference on Wednesday.

After all, this is becoming a little old hat for Namibia now. They made it through to the main phase of the competition in UAE last year in convincing style.

After surely the finest day in Namibian cricket history on Sunday, when they outplayed mighty Sri Lanka, they dropped a stitch against the Netherlands in defeat two days later.

The fact they still carry a significant run-rate advantage means, whatever the result in Thursday’s first game between Sri Lanka and the Netherlands, they will advance with a win over UAE.

The sides know each other well, having played each other regularly for over a decade. Erasmus said familiarity with the opposition could help.

“We try to use as a bit of analysis how other teams play, so it is an added advantage [playing] against a side that you're playing against, having seen more or less all of their batters before,” Erasmus said.

“Having said that, they've got a fresh side, so we've got some work to do to be properly prepared for that game.”

Erasmus said David Wiese will be fit to play, after passing his concussion checks following the loss to the Netherlands.

The allrounder hit his head against the ground after diving in the outfield in the Dutch run chase. It meant he played the rest of the innings with tape around his head.

Erasmus is hopeful his side will be mentally stronger than in the defeat last time out. He acknowledged they were on an emotional comedown after their extraordinary win against Sri Lanka in the opener.

“It is only human nature to celebrate a big win like that,” Erasmus said.

“The emotions were inevitable, and in cricket you have those mental challenges. It was a very tough thing to do to recover, even though we have all the know-how and experience of how to do that.

“It is still about dealing with the momentum and ups and downs you have in tournament cricket. You have to reset quickly to have the same intent as the first game.

“I think our boys tried to do that, and our preparation was really good for the Netherlands game. We had all the right plans, unfortunately it just wasn’t our day and we were outplayed.”