2. David Wiese, Namibia – Age: 37
Few players have made as immediate an impact on a cricket team as David Wiese. One of only three players to have represented two countries at a T20 World Cup, the South African-Namibian’s explosive hitting and wily death overs bowling skills were crucial in getting Namibia over the line and into the Super 12 round of last year’s T20 World Cup.
Possessing a wealth of experience in T20 franchise cricket, the veteran 37-year-old allrounder remains a hot commodity on the franchise circuit. He comes to the World Cup on the back of a highly successful CPL campaign with Saint Lucia Kings. Even as the Kings stumbled in the eliminator playoffs, Wiese personally had an incredible tournament, picking up 12 wickets at an average of 16.33 and also scoring 126 runs at 25.20. Equally notable were his economy rate of 6.75 and a strike rate of 150 with the bat.
At the World Cup, Wiese will constitute a vital cog of the Namibian line-up alongside captain Erasmus, Ruben Trumpelmann and JJ Smit. It is likely to be his last major ICC event, given that he turns 39 by the time the 2024 T20 World Cup rolls around and because the 2023 ODI World Cup remains an exclusive 10 team affair. Wiese would therefore be desperate to finish on a high.
Fun Fact: In 2017, Wiese turned his back on prolonging his international career with South Africa by signing a three-year Kolpak deal with Sussex county. After Brexit dissolved the Kolpak ruling, Wiese became eligible for Namibia selection courtesy of his father being born there.
