Men’s T20 World Cup Records: Players Represented More Than One Country
There have been moments of delight, spectacular performances and interesting statistics keeping cricket aficionados enthralled since the start of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in 2007. There have been players whose careers were exceptional in that they represented multiple countries in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
Among these records, one stands out for its rarity and uniqueness: the performance of the type of individual participant who can play for two or more teams in the given tournament. Cricket, a sport with conventions and absolute playing codes, does not often permit such switchovers. At the same time, one player who achieved this great achievement was Dirk Nannes.
| Player | Countries |
| Dirk Nannes | Netherlands (2009)
Australia (2010) |
| Roelof van der Merwe | South Africa (2009 & 2010)
Netherlands (2016, 2021, 2022) |
| David Wiese | South Africa (2016)
Namibia (2021, 2022, 2024) |
| Corey Anderson | New Zealand (2014 & 2016)
United States (2024) |
Dirk Nannes
Dirk Nannes, the fast bowler par excellence, was indeed a special case in international cricket as he played for two countries. He represented the Netherlands at the 2009 ICC World T20, availing himself of his Dutch nationality, but a year later he switched to Australia and played in the 2010 T20 World Cup thanks to good scores in domestic cricket. His peculiar talent both nationally and internationally demonstrates the dual-national appeal that he holds in the T20 circuit.
Roelof van der Merwe
Roelof van der Merwe started playing internationally with South Africa in 2009 and 2010 and was known for his aggressive left-arm spin and lower-order batting. Years later, he re-emerged in the international scene, in this case for the Netherlands, as he came on board representing them in 2016, 2021, and 2022. His Dutch passport allowed him to cross allegiances, where he became one of the vital players in the Netherlands, bringing experience and all-around ability with them to the major ICC T20 World Cup tournaments.
David Wiese
David Wiese initially donned the South African jersey in 2016 as an all-rounder boasting impressive T20 credentials. He faced the bleak reality of being out of national consideration and thus qualified to represent Namibia through paternal inheritance. Wiese’s first assignment with Namibia was in the 2021 edition of the T20 World Cup, and he continued playing for them in 2022 and 2024. Wiese rapidly became a vital cog for Namibia by bringing international exposure and carrying out powerful performances while helping the country rise in the global standings of T20 cricket, inspiring lesser nations.
Corey Anderson
Indeed, Corey Anderson used to be an upcoming star of New Zealand for his Curtis-cum-explosive batting, especially his then-record-breaking century in just 36 balls in 2014. He represented the country of New Zealand in two mega events in 2014 and 2016. But after undergoing injuries and form troubles, he migrated to the United States, quickening the way to gaining eligibility to play for them. In 2024, he made his debut with the USA through professional international cricket and made a major contribution to pushing his name in the growing profile of the team in the competitive arena of world cricket.
The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup has witnessed many records, but being able to play for two teams, specifically Netherlands and Australia, Nannes is the only record in his record book. It captures a changed reality of modern international cricket, where players can switch allegiance and take the best shot at talent in other countries, should they want to play for someone else. It will be impossible to forget Dirk Nannes as the man whose performance was a link between two cricketing worlds, evoking admiration.
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