Former South Africa all-rounder David Wiese would be turning out for Namibia in the upcoming T20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates and Oman in October- November this year. Wiese, who is South Africa born and represented the Proteas from 2013-16 in six ODIs and 20 T20Is has qualified to play for the neighbouring country on the basis of his descent, as per an ESPNcricinfo report.
Weise’ father was born in Namibia and hence he qualifies to play for them immediately, by virtue of first descent. Cricket Namibia CEO Johan Muller also confirmed this development to cricket website ESPNcricinfo.
Though the 36-year-old has made himself available, Nambia are yet to finalise their WT20 squad as the ICC has given the deadline until September 10 for teams to submit their squads for the marquee event.
Namibia qualified for their first-ever T20 World Cup after beating Oman in the Semi-Final playoffs and eventually finishing fourth in the tournament with the top six teams making the cut for the 2020 T20 World cup, which was initially to be played in Australia.
With Covid causing postponement, the 2020 edition has been now shifted to 2022 and instead 2019 qualification was treated as the qualifying process for the 2021 T20 World Cup to be hosted by India in UAE and Oman.
Weise, who joined the Kolpak deal with Sussex in 2017 would be in the company of his fellow South Africans Pierre de Bruyn and Albie Morkel who have joined the Namibian team as support staff for the tournament.