INTERVIEW
Follow UsScoring the first-ever century for your country in both white-ball formats is indeed a phenomenal and special feat. Nobody can take that away from you, no matter what happens after that. But what if that’s the only thing you will remember for the rest of your career? Would you take that?
For Namibia’s Jean-Pierre “JP” Kotze, that was a big no.
Kotze, who achieved those incredible highs so early in his career, given the talent and promise he had shown, things have certainly taken a massive upward curve as many had expected.
Just three games into his T20I career, which included a ton on debut, there were high expectations from him.
(Image courtesy: Emerging Cricket on Twitter)
“He’s the most talented cricketer I have played with by far. I can’t wait for the performances he is going to put in in this tournament,” – Jan Frylinck, Namibia’s leading T20I wicket-taker, had said of Kotze ahead of the T20 World Cup Qualifiers in 2019.
“He will be spoken about as one of the most talented players in this tournament” – Head coach Pierre de Bruyn further added.
By no stretch of the imagination did Kotze take the world by storm in that tournament, managing just 124 runs in six innings at a strike-rate of 96.12 as Namibia crashed out in the semi-final stage after losing to Papua New Guinea (PNG).
This was certainly not what Namibia would have expected from Kotze, who, not too long ago, smashed a quick-fire century of 40-odd balls against Botswana back in 2019 on his T20 debut. In fact, in the 22 T20I innings since then, the southpaw has never gone past 39.
He has now returned to the fold with the ODI set-up for the Nepal leg of the ICC Cricket World Cup League 2. He has not played any 50-over fixtures since the Eagles played South Africa Emerging Players in April 2021, and his last ODI was in 2020.
Throwing him right into the deep end right away may not be wise, either.
“It's good to be back. I'm really excited. A lot of hard work has been put in over the last 6-7 months to get back to where I am,” Kotze told Cricket.com here in Nepal.
“I played my last ODI in Oman in 2020. So very excited to be part of the squad again, to play cricket again. If I get an opportunity in this tournament, I will be taking it with both hands. Really looking forward to playing some cricket again.”
Unfortunately for Kotze, his ODI return was a painful one. He took 15 balls to get off the mark against the Netherlands at the TU Cricket Stadium, Kirtipur on Monday (February 19) and was eventually cleaned by Aryan Dutt for a 30-ball 5.
In 2021, Kotze decided to retire from the game to spend some time with his young family but reversed his decision the following year ahead of the T20 World Cup 2022. He played a few games ahead of the tournament and would have potentially been part of Namibia’s historic campaign, but in the end, opted against it.
“I wasn't available. I was busy with my family. There was no talks [with the team management], I was just unavailable,” Kotze said.
However, he remains open to playing in the T20 World Cup, slated to be played in June in the US and West Indies.
“If I get selected, I'll definitely be available. Will be open to going to the World Cup. It's still hard work, but I'll be available if selected.”
While Zane Green remains the incumbent wicketkeeper across formats for Namibia, his batting, especially in T20s (Ave 14, SR 97.55 in 46 inns), cannot be brushed under the carpet. That’s potentially where Kotze could jump in.
However, he is not thinking too far ahead, at least now.
“Currently, I am the back-up 'keeper in the team. I am open to that; I still enjoy 'keeping it. Zane has done a really good job since he took over 5-6 years ago. He is a very good keeper, he is a young keeper, he is dynamic, and he fits very nicely in the team. He has cemented his place, but I will take every opportunity I get,” Kotze, who looked up to Adam Gilchrist growing up, explained.
He may not even be in the conversation without the unwavering support of his family. That has been pivotal in his return to the game.
“I must say, they [my family] are very open...I just got my second child now in October. My wife's very open, my family's very open to supporting me. It's difficult to be away from family, but if they support you, It's much easier to go away to play cricket - to do what you love,” Kotze, who moved to Namibia from South Africa to pursue cricket further, said.
Not surprisingly, de Bruyn, who rates Kotze so highly, too has welcomed him with open arms, which has helped the transition much easier.
“He has been supportive, he has helped me out. We have worked on a few stuff. Obviously, when you are away from the game for a while, you lose touch. It's easy to get back if the people support you and help in the nets,” the 29-year-old said.
“All the coaches have helped, and supported my comeback. They've helped me in any way they could. They've helped me in the nets and at games. I must say, it was an easy transition into the side with the way they're helping me.”
Having watched Namibia grow from the sidelines has given Kotze immense joy. Their rise from the lower divisions to beating teams like Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe and qualifying for their third T20 World Cup is nothing short of a fairytale.
Kotze believes that cricket is finally getting its due recognition in Namibia
“I was just proud, as citizen of the country, seeing where we are. I've been part of the lows but also a lot of highs in this country's cricket history. I've seen them beating big teams, going to World Cups, and anticipating World Cups; it's been massive,” Kotze said.
“It's changed the way people look at cricket in the country, changed the way people want to play cricket in the country. It's become more lively now at the back of all this success.”
By the looks of it, Kotze does not seem like someone who wishes to watch from the sidelines. He is hungry, and this time around, he is in for a long haul.
(Cover image courtesy: Cricket Namibia on Facebook)
