Waterkloof’s Volschenk named Namibia’s captain for u19 ICC World Cup

Talented all-rounder Alexander Volschenk has been appointed the captain of Namibia‘s u19 cricket team for the 2024 ICC u19 Cricket World Cup. The event, which is being hosted by South Africa, begins on 13 January and runs until 4 February.

Volschenk has developed his game while attending Pretoria’s Hoërskool Waterkloof, one of the leading cricket-playing schools in South Africa. His appointment as the captain of Namibia is a testament to his cricketing skills and prowess.

Volschenk’s cricket journey has been marked by impressive performances, with one standout moment being a classy century he scored at the Fasken Time Cricket Festival in September 2023.

In that match, the all-rounder tallied a brilliant 112 against a strong St Stithians College side, which featured three of the recently announced South Africa u19 squad. His innings not only showcased his ability to play shots but also his ability to perform under pressure against quality opposition.

Recently, Waterkloof won the Fain Noordvaal final against Marais Viljoen, in which Volschenk scored a valuable 31 towards the end of his team’s innings to put them into a commanding position. That match was played at Willowmoore Park in Benoni, which has been earmarked as one of the potential Cricket World Cup host venues.

Namibia finds itself in Group C for the forthcoming tournament, facing Australia, Sri Lanka, and South Africa’s northern neighbours, Zimbabwe. It’s a challenging draw against formidable opponents, but Namibia will be intent on causing an upset or two on the global stage.

Sri Lanka was originally handed the hosting rights to the tournament, but they were stripped of those rights by the ICC in late November because of government interference in the sport. The event was subsequently moved to South Africa. The change of venue adds an extra layer of complexity to the event and has resulted in some teams adjusting the make-up of their squads as they adapt their preparations for the South African pitches.

Volschenk, who attended St Paul’s College in Namibia before making the move to Waterkloof, will be familiar with South African conditions. The Nambians’ understanding of the tracks, the weather, and other local factors, could prove to be a valuable advantage.

Namibia, as a cricketing nation, has made big strides in recent times. The senior national side recently qualified for the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup tournament, which was a significant achievement that reflected favourably on cricket in the country.

With the focus now shifting to the u19 team, there is a sense of anticipation and excitement surrounding the emergence of the next generation of Namibian cricketers.

Alex Volschenk and Namibia will be placed in the spotlight as they measure their young talent against the best from around the world. The tournament offers an early glimpse at the top players and the potential stars of the not-too-distant future.