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The ninth edition of the T20 World Cup 2024 kicked off with an encounter between the United States of America (USA) and Canada.
Dual allegiances: Players representing two nations in T20 World Cup
As cricket enthusiasts gear up for the highly anticipated tournament, it’s worth noting that the T20 World Cup has witnessed several instances of players donning the jerseys of two different nations, adding a unique dimension to the tournament’s rich history. These dual allegiances have added an element of diversity and intrigue to the tournament, highlighting the global appeal and inclusivity of cricket at the highest level. Below is a detailed analysis of five such players, including their performances and contributions to both teams they represented.
5 players to feature for two different teams in T20 World Cup:
1. Dirk Nannes (Netherlands and Australia)
Netherlands: Dirk Nannes, known for his left-arm pace bowling, made his T20 World Cup debut for the Netherlands in 2009. In that tournament, he played 2 matches and took 2 wickets with an impressive economy rate of 7.00. His best performance came against Pakistan, where he claimed 1 wickets for 26 runs, although his side lost the match by the massive margin of 82 runs.
Australia: Nannes switched to represent Australia in the 2010 T20 World Cup. During this edition, he played 7 matches, taking 14 wickets at an economy rate of 7.03, and was not only a key bowler for Australia but also the leading wicket taker of the tournament. His best figures for Australia were 4 for 18 against Bangladesh, and he played a significant role in Australia’s journey to the final, where they finished as runners-up.
2. Roelof van der Merwe (South Africa and Netherlands)
South Africa: Roelof van der Merwe, a left-arm spin-bowling all-rounder, played for South Africa in the 2009 and 2010 T20 World Cups. He featured in 6 matches and took 11 wickets. His performances included notable contributions especially in the 2009 edition was he grabbed 10 wickets.
Netherlands: Van der Merwe later transitioned to play for the Netherlands, representing them in the 2016, 2021 and 2022 T20 World Cups. For the Netherlands, he played 12 matches and picked 5 wickets with an controlled overall economy, highlighting his continued effectiveness in the T20 format.
Also READ: Oldest players in T20 World Cup history from 2007 to 2022
3. David Wiese (South Africa and Namibia)
South Africa: David Wiese made his T20 World Cup debut for South Africa in 2016. In that tournament, he played 3 matches, scoring 28 runs and taking 1 wickets. His role as an effective all-rounder was evident through his contributions in both batting and bowling departments.
Namibia: Wiese later switched to represent Namibia, featuring in the 2021 and 2022 T20 World Cups. For Namibia, he played 14 matches across the two editions, scoring 289 runs and taking 12 wickets. His standout performance came in the 2021 edition against the Netherlands, where he scored an unbeaten 66 and took 1 wicket, leading Namibia to a memorable victory.
4. Mark Chapman (Hong Kong and New Zealand)
Hong Kong: Mark Chapman, known for his aggressive batting in the middle order, initially represented Hong Kong in the 2014 and 2016 T20 World Cups. For Hong Kong, he played 6 matches, scoring 123 runs with a top score of 40. His performances were critical in establishing Hong Kong’s competitive edge in the associate cricketing world.
New Zealand: Chapman transitioned to represent New Zealand, making his T20 World Cup debut for the Black Caps in 2021. He continued to be part of the New Zealand squad in the 2022 edition and has been selected for the 2024 squad. Although he only got one match in the previous two editions to play for the Blackcaps.
5. Corey Anderson (New Zealand and USA)
New Zealand: Corey Anderson represented New Zealand in the T20 World Cup during the 2014 and 2016 editions. In the 2014 tournament, he played 4 matches, scoring 27 runs with a batting average of 27 and a high strike rate of 150.00,with his highest score being 20. As a bowler, he took four wickets with a bowling average of 23.00 and an economy rate of 7.66, with best figures of 2/28. In the 2016 edition, Anderson again played five matches, improving his batting performance by scoring 86 runs at an average of 17.20 and a strike rate of 97.92, with a top score of 34. His bowling also contributed, taking 2 wickets with a bowling average of 52 and an economy rate of 7.00, with best figures of 2/29.
United States of America (USA): After retiring from the New Zealand team in 2020, he announced his intention to play for the USA cricket team in 2022. He currently plays for USA international cricket team and due to that he got a chance to represent his country in the T20 World Cup 2024.
