Michael van Lingen

Biography

Early Life and Rise

Michael van Lingen is a Namibian cricketer who has represented his country at various levels. He was part of Namibia's squad for the 2016 Under-19 Cricket World Cup. During the tournament, he gained attention for his sportsmanship when he walked off after being caught behind, despite the umpire not giving him out.

International Career

Van Lingen made his Twenty20 International (T20I) debut for Namibia against Papua New Guinea on October 10, 2021. He made his One Day International (ODI) debut against Oman on November 26, 2021.

Career Statistics (as of April 2025)

ODI:

Matches: 40

Runs: 1,316

Batting Average: 38.71

Centuries: 5

Fifties: 5

Highest Score: 133

Wickets: 2

Bowling Average: 39.50

Best Bowling: 1/0

T20I:

Matches: 30

Runs: 518

Batting Average: 19.18

Fifties: 2

Highest Score: 67

Wickets: 0

Impact and Influence

Van Lingen has been instrumental in promoting cricket in Namibia, especially in areas outside the capital city. He has been involved in initiatives to introduce the sport to new regions and inspire young athletes to take up cricket.