ICC T20 WORLD CUP 2021

October 27, 2021

JJ Smit

Sheikh Zayed Stadium

Namibia

Post Match Media Conference

Namibia 115/6, Scotland 109/8

Q. Opening overs can't get better than that sequence from Trumpelmann. What did you make of that opening sequence?

JJ SMIT: Yeah, that was something special, to take three wickets in the opening over. We had them on the back foot from the first over.

Yeah, we can't ask for more. We enjoyed that.

Q. Also a bit more about Trumpelmann; he comes from Northerns, I believe. He's found a home here at Namibia. Could you just talk us through his progress from Northerns to sort of settling in at Namibia now?

JJ SMIT: Yeah, I think it's his father that's from Namibia. He actually took a while to get his Namibian passport, rocky up and down. He came to Namibia to come get his passport, then COVID happened and he was stuck there for eight months, so yeah, but he finally got it and he can play for us, so yeah, we enjoy that and we enjoy having him in the team.

Q. Another strong influence on the team has been Albie Morkel. What has his contribution been like for the team in the lead-up to this World Cup?

JJ SMIT: Yeah, Albie's contribution is massive. He brings that calmness to the team. Our coach is a little bit fiery and spicy, and Albie is cool and calm like you can remember from the IPL in the South African days. So yeah, he's experienced, and just his calmness -- like I keep saying calm, but he's really calm. He makes a lot of jokes, and he keeps us all involved. Yeah, his contribution is good.

Q. Towards the end every run was being cheered by the handful of Namibian supporters, and they really enjoyed the way you played. What is your message to the handful of Namibian supporters here?

JJ SMIT: Yeah, we're all so thankful for them. It cost them a lot of money to be here, so yeah, we are thankful. They mean the world to us. Even the support back home, like the support we get from home, all the messages every day, my phone doesn't stop. So I don't want to be in Ruben's shoes tonight.

Q. Based on today's performance, your earlier win against Oman, how hopeful are you guys to qualify for the semis? And what will be your approach for the next match against Afghanistan?

JJ SMIT: Yeah, I think if we qualify for the semifinals of the World Cup, there's going to be a massive uproar in the cricket world. But we know we can. It's possible. We're here. We're in the Super 12s. We're enjoying it. We all believe we're going to be here.

To the next game, it's just playing the spin well and the seamers. I don't think we should just focus on their spinners. Obviously they have three of the best spinners in the world, but their seamers are also highly ranked and comes with a bit of pace.