These cricketers switched their national allegiances come World Cup time!
Representing one's country at the highest level is a monumental achievement for any cricketer. It is the ultimate dream for anyone who takes up the sport, as only a select few get the chance to achieve this in their careers. Interestingly, some cricketers have had the unique opportunity to play international cricket for two different countries. Due to the intense competition for spots on the national teams of certain countries, some players have sought opportunities elsewhere, allowing them to represent another nation on the international stage. In One Day Internationals (ODIs), 16 players have played for two different countries. In Test cricket, this number stands at 17, while in T20 Internationals (T20Is), 19 players have represented two nations. Notably, five of these players have participated in the ICC T20 World Cup for two different teams. In this article, we will explore the list of cricketers who have played in the ICC T20 World Cup for two different countries.
Veteran spinner Roelof Van der Merwe became the fifth player to represent two different countries in T20Is. He debuted for South Africa in 2009 and played until 2010, including participating in the 2009 T20 World Cup. In 2015, he began playing for the Netherlands and competed in the 2022 T20 World Cup as a Dutch player. However, he is not part of the current squad for the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 due to his commitments in County Cricket.
Former pacer Dirk Nannes, born in Melbourne, also makes this list. He debuted in T20Is for the Netherlands in 2008 and played two matches for them in the 2009 T20 World Cup, being eligible through his Dutch migrant parents. Later that year, he switched to representing Australia and competed in the 2010 T20 World Cup for his birth country. Nannes played his final T20I in 2010.
Born in Hong Kong, Mark Chapman is now a regular player for New Zealand in white-ball cricket. The left-hander made his international debut for Hong Kong in 2014 and participated in the 2014 T20 World Cup. He also served as the vice-captain for Hong Kong in the 2016 T20 World Cup. Subsequently, Chapman switched to representing New Zealand. He played in the 2021 T20 World Cup for the Black Caps and is part of their squad for the ICC T20 World Cup 2024. Notably, Chapman is the first batter to score two half-centuries for two different countries in T20Is.
Chapman after leading a successful chase for the Black Caps!
David Wiese is another cricketer who has represented two different countries. He made his T20I debut for South Africa in 2013 and played for them until 2016, including participation in the 2016 T20 World Cup. In 2021, Wiese began playing for Namibia, competing in the 2021 and 2022 editions of the tournament. He is also part of Namibia's squad for the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 in the USA and West Indies.
Corey Anderson is the latest addition to this list. The all-rounder represented New Zealand from 2012 to 2018, participating in the 2014 T20 World Cup and the 2015 ODI World Cup for the Black Caps. In 2024, Anderson switched allegiances to the United States and is part of their ICC T20 World Cup 2024 squad.
Representing two countries can be morally challenging, especially for a sport like cricket. These five players have managed to pull it off successfully
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