Gerhard Erasmus

{{short description|Namibian cricketer (born 1995)}} {{use dmy dates|date=January 2015}} {{Infobox cricketer | name = Gerhard Erasmus | image = | country = Namibia | fullname = Merwe Gerhard Erasmus | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1995|4|11|df=yes}} | birth_place = Windhoek, Namibia | heightft = | heightinch = | heightm = 1.89 | batting = Right-handed | bowling = Right-arm off break | role = All-rounder | international = true | internationalspan = 2019–present

| club1 = Gulf Giants | year1 = 2024–2025 | club2 = Kathmandu Gorkhas | year2 = 2025

| columns = 4 | column1 = ODI | matches1 = 63 | runs1 = 2,178 | bat avg1 = 38.21 | 100s/50s1 = 2/17 | top score1 = 125 | deliveries1 = 1,769 | wickets1 = 53 | bowl avg1 = 25.13 | fivefor1 = 2 | tenfor1 = 0 | best bowling1 = 5/28 | catches/stumpings1 = 33/– | column2 = T20I | matches2 = 81 | runs2 = 1,882 | bat avg2 = 30.85 | 100s/50s2 = 1/13 | top score2 = 100* | deliveries2 = 1,029 | wickets2 = 65 | bowl avg2 = 15.78 | fivefor2 = 0 | tenfor2 = 0 | best bowling2 = 4/20 | catches/stumpings2 = 51/– | column3 = FC | matches3 = 38 | runs3 = 1,255 | bat avg3 = 20.24 | 100s/50s3 = 1/3 | top score3 = 192 | deliveries3 = 146 | wickets3 = 2 | bowl avg3 = 52.00 | fivefor3 = 0 | tenfor3 = 0 | best bowling3 = 2/46 | catches/stumpings3 = 24/2 | column4 = LA | matches4 = 120 | runs4 = 3,595 | bat avg4 = 35.95 | 100s/50s4 = 2/28 | top score4 = 125 | deliveries4 = 1,976 | wickets4 = 60 | bowl avg4 = 24.80 | fivefor4 = 2 | tenfor4 = 0 | best bowling4 = 5/28 | catches/stumpings4 = 76/ | date = 19 February 2026 | source = http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/player/519070.html ESPNcricinfo }} '''Merwe Gerhard Erasmus''' (born 11 April 1995) is a Namibian international cricketer who is the current captain of the Namibia national cricket team.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://cricket.co.za/news/38206/Erasmus-Ton-carries-Namibia-to-victory |title=Erasmus Ton carries Namibia to victory |work=Cricket South Africa |access-date=29 April 2021 |archive-date=1 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210501022157/https://cricket.co.za/news/38206/Erasmus-Ton-carries-Namibia-to-victory |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="Bio">{{Cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/player/519070.html |title=Gerhard Erasmus |accessdate=21 January 2015 |work=ESPN Cricinfo}}</ref>

== Early life and family == Merwe Gerhard Erasmus was born on 11 April 1995 in Windhoek, Namibia. His father Francois Erasmus runs a family law firm in Windhoek and is a former president of Cricket Namibia and associate director of the International Cricket Council (ICC).<ref name="dellapenna" /> As of 2018, Erasmus was a fourth-year law student at the University of Stellenbosch in South Africa.

==Career== Erasmus first played at senior level for Namibia in February 2011, aged 15, against a touring Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) side.<ref name=dellapenna>{{cite news|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/a-tournament-that-could-decide-gerhard-erasmus-career-1136239|title=A tournament that could decide Gerhard Erasmus' career|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|date=12 February 2018|accessdate=23 October 2021|first=Peter|last=Della Penna}}</ref> He made his international and first-class debut against Ireland in September 2011 in the 2011–2013 ICC Intercontinental Cup,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/icc-intercontinental-cup-2011-2013-14-504772/ireland-vs-namibia-516840/full-scorecard |title=Belfast, Sep 6 - 9 2011, ICC Intercontinental Cup |work=ESPN Cricinfo |access-date=31 October 2021}}</ref> and at the age of 16, became the youngest player in the team's history.<ref name=spotlight>{{cite news|url=https://www.namibian.com.na/201217/archive-read/Spotlight-on-Gerhard-Erasmus|title=Spotlight on Gerhard Erasmus|publisher=The Namibian|date=28 May 2020|accessdate=23 October 2021|first=Helge|last=Schütz|archive-date=23 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211023003949/https://www.namibian.com.na/201217/archive-read/Spotlight-on-Gerhard-Erasmus|url-status=dead}}</ref> He was a member of Namibia's squad for the 2012 ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/other/content/story/552423.html |title=Namibia news: Sarel Burger to lead Namibia in World T20 qualifiers | Other Countries Cricket News |publisher=ESPN Cricinfo |access-date=2012-03-14 |archive-date=8 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120208065243/http://www.espncricinfo.com/other/content/story/552423.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Erasmus was included in the Namibia under-19s squad for the 2012 Under-19 Cricket World Cup in Australia.<ref name="squads">{{cite web | url=http://www.iccu19cricketworldcup.com:80/iccnews/news20120712_17/all-16-team-squads-announced-for-icc-u19-cwc | title=All 16 team squads announced for ICC U19 CWC, ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2012 News – | publisher=Official Website | date=12 July 2012 | accessdate=25 October 2017 | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120804041730/http://www.iccu19cricketworldcup.com/iccnews/news20120712_17/all-16-team-squads-announced-for-icc-u19-cwc | archivedate=4 August 2012 | url-status=dead | df=dmy-all }}</ref> He captained the team at the 2014 Under-19 Cricket World Cup in the United Arab Emirates.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/gerhard-erasmus-to-captain-namibia-at-u-19-world-cup-710269|title=Gerhard Erasmus to captain Namibia at U-19 World Cup|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|date=16 January 2014|accessdate=23 October 2021}}</ref>

Erasmus played in Namibia's squad for the 2018 ICC World Cricket League Division Two tournament.<ref name="NAMWCL2">{{Cite web|url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/media-releases/604943 |title=Six teams vying for the final two spots in ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2018 |accessdate=29 January 2018 |work=International Cricket Council}}</ref> In August 2018, he was named in Namibia's squad for the 2018 Africa T20 Cup.<ref name="2018ATC">{{cite news|title=Cricket Namibia to compete in T20 Africa Cup |url=https://www.namibian.com.na/70730/read/Cricket-Namibia-to-compete-in-T20-Africa-Cup/ |work=The Namibian |accessdate=24 August 2018}}</ref>

In March 2019, Erasmus was named as the captain of Namibia's squad for the 2019 ICC World Cricket League Division Two tournament.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://cricketnamibia.com/the-squad-participating-in-the-icc-world-league-2-tournament/ |title=The Squad Participating In The ICC World League 2 Tournament |work=Cricket Namibia |accessdate=19 March 2019 |archive-date=4 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804095958/https://www.cricketnamibia.com/the-squad-participating-in-the-icc-world-league-2-tournament/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> Namibia finished in the top four places in the tournament, therefore gaining One Day International (ODI) status.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/media-releases/1198795 |title=Papua New Guinea secure top-four finish on dramatic final day |work=International Cricket Council |accessdate=27 April 2019}}</ref> Erasmus made his ODI debut for Namibia on 27 April 2019, against Oman, in the tournament's final.<ref name="ODI">{{Cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/1174845.html |title=Final, ICC World Cricket League Division Two at Windhoek, Apr 27 2019 |accessdate=27 April 2019 |work=ESPN Cricinfo}}</ref> In May 2019, he was named as the captain of Namibia's squad for the Regional Finals of the 2018–19 ICC T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier tournament in Uganda.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/media-releases/1220002 |title=Six teams looking to keep T20 World Cup dreams alive in Africa final |work=International Cricket Council |accessdate=14 May 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/media-releases/1222616 |title=African men in Uganda for T20 showdown |work=International Cricket Council |accessdate=18 May 2019}}</ref> He made his Twenty20 International (T20I) debut for Namibia against Ghana on 20 May 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/1184258.html |title=5th Match, ICC Men's T20 World Cup Africa Region Final at Kampala, May 20 2019 |work=ESPN Cricinfo |accessdate=20 May 2019}}</ref>

In June 2019, Erasmus was one of twenty-five cricketers to be named in Cricket Namibia's Elite Men's Squad ahead of the 2019–20 international season.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://cricketnamibia.com/breaking-news-announcement-of-the-2019-2020-national-elite-training-squad/ |title=Breaking News – Announcement of the 2019–2020 National Elite Training Squad |work=Cricket Namibia |accessdate=17 July 2019 |archive-date=17 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190717154754/http://cricketnamibia.com/breaking-news-announcement-of-the-2019-2020-national-elite-training-squad/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.erongo.com.na/news/elite-cricket-training-squad-announced-2019-06-24 |title=Elite cricket training squad announced |work=Erongo |accessdate=17 July 2019}}</ref> In September 2019, he was named as the captain of Namibia's squad for the 2019 ICC T20 World Cup Qualifier tournament in the United Arab Emirates.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://cricketnamibia.com/icc-men-s-t20-world-cup-qualifier-send-off/ |title=ICC Men's T20 World Cup Qualifier Send Off |work=Cricket Namibia |accessdate=2 October 2019 |archive-date=2 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191002170700/http://cricketnamibia.com/icc-men-s-t20-world-cup-qualifier-send-off/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/media-releases/1451579 |title=Captains enthusiastic ahead of ICC Men's T20 World Cup Qualifier 2019 |work=International Cricket Council |accessdate=12 October 2019}}</ref> He was the leading run-scorer for Namibia in the tournament, with 268 runs in nine matches.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/averages/batting_bowling_by_team.html?id=13311;team=28;type=tournament |title=ICC Men's T20 World Cup Qualifier, 2019/20 - Namibia: Batting and bowling averages |work=ESPN Cricinfo |accessdate=2 November 2019}}</ref> Following the conclusion of the final, he was named as the player of the tournament.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/8040/report/1199549/netherlands-vs-papua-new-guinea-final-icc-mens-t20-world-cup-qualifier-2019-20 |title=Roelof van der Merwe and Brandon Glover help Netherlands defend title |work=ESPN Cricinfo |accessdate=2 November 2019}}</ref>

In September 2021, Erasmus was named as the captain of Namibia's squad for the 2021 ICC Men's T20 World Cup,<ref>{{cite web|title=Namibia name T20 World Cup squad, include David Wiese |url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/2247826 |work=International Cricket Council |access-date=10 September 2021}}</ref> with the International Cricket Council (ICC) later naming him as the key player in Namibia's team.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/2260863 |title=Namibia's golden generation ready to make waves after 18-year absence from the big stage |work=International Cricket Council |access-date=12 October 2021}}</ref> In a warm-up match against Scotland before the tournament, he broke a finger while fielding. However, he decided to continue playing in the tournament and captain his team in spite of the injury.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/gerhard-erasmus-and-david-wiese-on-namibia-s-cricketing-journey-and-the-challenges-ahead-1288117 |title='If we create a brand that people love, cricket won't just be a white man's sport, it'll be a Namibian sport' |work=ESPN Cricinfo |access-date=17 November 2021}}</ref>

In March 2022, in the second match of the 2022 United Arab Emirates Tri-Nation Series, Erasmus scored his first century in ODI cricket, with 121 not out.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.namibian.com.na/110569/read/Brilliant-Erasmus-leads-Namibia-to-victory |title=Brilliant Erasmus leads Namibia to victory |work=The Namibian |access-date=7 March 2022}}</ref> The following month, in the second match against Uganda, Erasmus also scored his first century in T20I cricket,<ref>{{cite web|title=Centuries in Twenty20 International cricket – innings by innings|url=https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?class=3;filter=advanced;orderby=start;runsmin1=100;runsval1=runs;size=100;template=results;type=batting;view=innings|work=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=9 April 2022}}</ref> with an unbeaten 100 against Uganda.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.namibian.com.na/111575/read/Uganda-beat-Namibia-despite-Erasmus-century |title=Uganda beat Namibia despite Erasmus century |work=The Namibian |access-date=10 April 2022}}</ref>

In January 2023, Erasmus won the International Cricket Council's Associate Cricketer of the Year award.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.namibian.com.na/119250/read/Erasmus-on-top-of-Associate-world |title=Erasmus on top of Associate world |work=The Namibian |access-date=26 January 2023 |archive-date=26 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230126071619/https://www.namibian.com.na/119250/read/Erasmus-on-top-of-Associate-world |url-status=dead }}</ref> Erasmus scored 956 ODI runs at an average of 56.23 and took a dozen wickets in 2022, and scored a century in both ODI and T20I formats.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/3037056 |title=Winner of the Men's Associate Cricketer of the Year revealed |work=International Cricket Council |access-date=24 January 2023}}</ref>

In May 2024, he was named the captain in Namibia’s squad for the 2024 ICC Men's T20 World Cup tournament.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Namibia is ready with their 15-Player Squad |url=https://www.scorewaves.com/news-details/namibia-squad-icc-t20-world-cup |access-date=2024-06-11 |website=ScoreWaves |language=en}}</ref>

In January 2026, Erasmus was named as the captain of Namibia's squad for the 2026 T20 World Cup.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/tournaments/mens-t20-world-cup-2026/news/erasmus-leads-namibia-for-icc-men-s-t20-world-cup-2026|title=Erasmus leads Namibia for ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026|work=International Cricket Council|date=3 January 2026|access-date=2 February 2026}}</ref>

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== * {{cricinfo|id=519070}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Erasmus, Gerhard}} Category:1995 births Category:Living people Category:Cricketers from Windhoek Category:Namibian cricketers Category:Namibia One Day International cricketers Category:Namibia Twenty20 International cricketers Category:21st-century Namibian sportsmen

Gerhard Erasmus

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