Andy Schooler previews the do-or-die T20 World Cup game England v Namibia – and has a chunky-priced bowler pick for Saturday’s contest in Antigua.
T20 World Cup 2024: England v Namibia
Venue: Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, North Sound, Antigua
Date/Time: Saturday June 15, 1800 BST
TV: Sky Sports Cricket and Main Event
England are back on track at the T20 World Cup following a crushing win over Oman and there’s every chance we see another comfortable victory upon their return to the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium on Saturday. A win would lift Jos Buttler’s side above Scotland in Group B, meaning the Scots would need to beat Australia later in the day to deny England a place in the Super 8s.
England v Namibia: Resurgant Rashid
First things first though and England will be confident of getting their job done having demolished Oman, skittling them out for just 47 on a pitch which offered assistance to the bowlers, both in terms of bounce and spin. It’s the latter that’s of interest to me for this game, having seen Adil Rashid bamboozle the Omani batters, taking four wickets to continue his strong record in the Caribbean – he took nine in five T20Is during December’s tour here too.
Rashid, who Buttler said had been England’s “most important player for some time” after the game, spun the ball prodigiously both ways and it’s not difficult to see the Nambian batters struggling in a similar way. They’ve been tied down by both Oman and Australia, failing to get their run-rate above a run a ball in either game. Admittedly, they did post a half-decent score against the Scots, although that was put into some context as Scotland won with nine balls to spare.
T20 World Cup: Spin to Succeed Again
Aussie leg-spinner Adam Zampa also took four wickets here in Antigua against the Namibians and so it’s a little surprising to see Rashid only fourth favourite in the top England bowler market. As for Namibia, Gerhard Erasmus has been their standout performer, making an impact with bat and ball. Having top-scored with the bat against both Australia and Scotland, he’s into favouritism in the top-bat market, although the fact that he comes in at four means that’s a possible over-reaction.
He looks a better play in the Namibia top-bowler market where his price simply looks too big. Over the past two years, the spinner has won this market (including ioint wins) slightly more often than once every three games. He’s taken 2+ wickets in 10 of his 19 T20Is since the last World Cup in this format and while most of those games have come against fellow associate members, he’s clearly proved himself as a bowler who can take wickets more often than his colleagues.
Erasmus has twice landed a two-wicket haul in this tournament, winning the top-bowler honours against Scotland, and odds of 6.25 about him doing it again here look very tasty. It may also be worth checking out the quotes about Erasmus in the player-performance markets – which combine batting, bowling and fielding – when they become available.
England v Namibia: Saturday June 15 Best Bets
Adil Rashid top England bowler @ 3.6 with Kwiff
Gerhard Erasmus top Namibia bowler @ 6.25 with Kwiff
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