“India have two, Canada get theirs… we got none.”
With that simple, searing statement, Namibia’s captain Gerhard Erasmus has ripped open a raw nerve at the heart of the T20 World Cup 2026: the glaring disparity in preparation resources between the haves and the have-nots of international cricket [[1]]. His frustration isn’t just about a missed practice session; it’s a powerful indictment of a system that claims to be globalizing the sport while its smallest members are left scrambling in the literal and figurative dark.
As Namibia prepares to face the tournament favorites, India, in a high-stakes night fixture, their inability to train under floodlights—a basic necessity for any modern professional team—has become a symbol of the uphill battle faced by Associate nations. This isn’t just an inconvenience; it’s a fundamental competitive disadvantage.
Table of Contents
- The Heart of the Issue: No Night Training for Namibia
- Why Night Practice is Non-Negotiable in Modern Cricket
- The Infrastructure Gap: Namibia’s Floodlight Challenge
- Namibia T20 World Cup: The Fight Against the Odds
- A Call for a More Equitable ICC System
- Conclusion: Playing the ‘Namibian Way’
- Sources
The Heart of the Issue: No Night Training for Namibia
The crux of Erasmus’s complaint is painfully straightforward. His team is scheduled to play a night match against India, a game that will be decided under artificial lights with a white ball—a completely different beast from a day game [[2]]. Yet, despite repeated requests, the Namibian squad was not allocated a single official night practice session at the tournament venue [[3]].
Meanwhile, full-member nations like India and even other teams such as Canada were granted access to these crucial sessions. This unequal access creates an uneven playing field before a single ball is bowled. For a team already facing a massive gulf in resources and experience, this logistical oversight feels like a systemic failure.
Why Night Practice is Non-Negotiable in Modern Cricket
For those unfamiliar with the nuances of the game, the importance of night practice might seem overstated. It’s not. Here’s why it’s critical:
- Ball Visibility: The white Kookaburra ball used in night games behaves and appears differently under floodlights, often seeming to “glow” or lose its seam definition, making it harder for batters to pick length and line.
- Dew Factor: As the night progresses, dew can make the ball wet and slippery, drastically affecting a bowler’s grip and the ball’s ability to swing or spin. Teams need to practice managing this.
- Pitch Behavior: Pitches can play slower or offer less bounce at night due to cooler temperatures and moisture, requiring tactical adjustments from both batters and bowlers.
Without experiencing these conditions firsthand in a controlled practice environment, a team is essentially going into battle blindfolded.
The Infrastructure Gap: Namibia’s Floodlight Challenge
The problem extends far beyond the tournament logistics. Erasmus pointed to a deeper, more systemic issue: the lack of adequate floodlit facilities back home in Namibia [[4]]. “We don’t have many facilities where we can practice at night,” he explained, highlighting the infrastructural poverty that plagues many Associate nations [[5]].
While India boasts dozens of world-class stadiums with perfect lighting, Namibia’s primary cricket venues are often limited to basic daytime use. This means their players have minimal exposure to night cricket conditions throughout the year, making their task at a global event like the World Cup exponentially harder. This isn’t a lack of talent; it’s a lack of opportunity created by a funding and development model that heavily favors the elite.
Namibia T20 World Cup: The Fight Against the Odds
Despite this significant setback, the spirit of the Namibian team remains unbroken. Erasmus, a veteran leader, has rallied his side around their identity. They plan to compete in their own “Namibian way”—a phrase that speaks to their resilience, grit, and unwavering belief in their collective ability [[6]].
This mindset has served them well in the past, famously helping them secure a historic win over Sri Lanka in the previous World Cup. Their journey is a constant reminder that passion and teamwork can sometimes bridge the gap that money and infrastructure create. However, as Erasmus’s comments suggest, they shouldn’t have to rely solely on heart to overcome what should be a level playing field.
A Call for a More Equitable ICC System
Erasmus’s public statement is more than just a complaint; it’s a direct call to action for the International Cricket Council (ICC). If the ICC is serious about its “One Family” vision and expanding the game beyond its traditional borders, it must ensure that all participating teams have equal access to the basic tools needed to compete [[7]].
This includes mandating equitable allocation of practice slots, especially for critical conditions like night games. It also means investing more heavily in grassroots infrastructure in Associate nations so that their players aren’t perpetually at a disadvantage. [INTERNAL_LINK:icc-development-funding-for-associate-nations] explores the current state of this crucial funding pipeline.
Conclusion: Playing the ‘Namibian Way’
The story of Namibia T20 World Cup 2026 is shaping up to be one of the tournament’s most compelling narratives—not just for their on-field performance, but for the powerful message their captain has sent. Gerhard Erasmus has shone a light on an uncomfortable truth about the sport’s inequities. While they may not have the floodlights, they have something equally powerful: an unshakeable spirit. Whether it’s enough to overcome India remains to be seen, but their fight for fairness is a victory in itself.
Sources
- [[1]] Times of India: “‘India have two, Canada get theirs’: Namibia question lack of night practice”
- [[2]] ESPNcricinfo: “Namibia captain Gerhard Erasmus raises concerns over night practice access”
- [[3]] Cricbuzz: “T20 WC 2026: Namibia denied night training session before India clash”
- [[4]] Sportstar: “Erasmus highlights infrastructure gap as Namibia struggles for night practice”
- [[5]] The Hindu: “The challenge of night cricket for Associate nations”
- [[6]] ICC Cricket: “Namibia ready to play their ‘own way’ against India, says Erasmus”
- [[7]] Wisden: “Is the ICC doing enough for its Associate members?”
- International Cricket Council (ICC)