First Match: Namibia v Cricket Web 'A'
at Wanderers, Windhoek
Scorecard
Ball By Ball
Greg Thomas and Bryce Cunningham came to Namibia with a pace which was unmanagable for most of the top order, and from 15 for five there was no recovery for the Namibians. They fought back well, hwoever, exposing a worryingly brittle batting order, while Louis Burger's second-innings resistance helped Namibia come away with some respect in this first clash.
Namibia chose to bat first. It was a choice they'd rather quickly come to forget; a stacked slip cordon helped themselves to catches, and when Louis Burger was trapped lbw by Thomas, Bjorn Kotze at seven had come in. Locals admitted it was a long time since anyone that quick had toured Namibia, but Gerrie Snyman handled it, slogging out well for three sixes in his 50-ball innings. It added 45 runs to the total, but Collisn and Borcich nevertheless shut the innings off well, Collins nipping out Snyman with the even slower ball.
The total of 111 was overcome in 25 overs, without the loss of a wicket, and a rout looked on the cards. Captain Louis Burger bemoaned a number of missed chances, and rotated the bowlers in near-desperation. Off-spinner Deon Kotze eventually came on as fourth change, and immediately found the edge of Smith's bat, only to have Kola Burger drop him; in his next over Jan-Berrie Burger held Arnold, and Kotze had started a fine game. He only got the one wicket from that spell, but put pressure on the batsmen, who smashed out to Bjorn Kotze, Sarel Burger and Gerrie Snyman as the Webheads crashed from 195 for two to 250 all out on the end of the day one.
Bryce Cunningham got another strike early, but instead of the first innings crash Sarel Burger hoiked Thomas for six in the final over of the day. The second day showed good application from the Namibia batsmen, but no one but Bjorn Kotze could hang on with the innings' superior batsman, captain Louis Burger. He struck 80 runs in a measured innings, and had the wood over Greg Thomas, but the other batsmen got out easily enough. Borcich in particular was a shining light, taking four wickets before lunch; he was underused after lunch, having failed to threaten Burger and Bjorn Kotze, but Thomas kept at it and overcame the tailenders. Klazinga impressed somewhat, before dragging on Richards, leaving Namibia all out for 211 and a reasonably easy chase.
So it turned out. Smith was belligerent, adding an unbeaten near-run-a-ball 40 to his excellent first-innings effort, and the team chased home by eight wickets despite Klazinga and Snyman providing occasional threat and pace with the new ball.
Namibia 111 all out (30.4 overs)
G Snyman 45; GM Thomas 3-24, AAA Collins 2-26, NA Borcich 2-27, BC Cunningham 2-33
Cricket Web 'A' 250 all out (61.3 overs)
DP Smith 94, AR Arnold 42; DB Kotze 4-45
Namibia 211 all out (63 overs)
LJ Burger 80*; NA Borcich 4-45, GM Thomas 3-50
Cricket Web 'A' 76 for two (13.1 overs)
DP Smith 40*
Cricket Web 'A' won by eight wickets
Man of the Match: D. P. Smith (Cricket Web 'A')