Namibia wins Kathmandu character test
Published at 23 February, 2024In an exciting game with low totals, Namibia came out on top. The Netherlands won the toss and sent in the Africans. Namibia made 203 runs in their innings which was shortened to 45 overs per team due to rain. The Netherlands was all out for 179, with Noah Croes (46*) as top scorer.
With spinner Shariz Ahmad in for seamer Kyle Klein and on the Namibian side Malan Kruger in for J.P. Kotzé, Viv Kingma struck in the first over, when slipfielder Michael Levitt accidently pushed an edge from Niko Davin into the hands of keeper Scott Edwards, who was playing his fiftieth ODI.
The team batting first appeared to be heading for a low total again at 77/5, but a partnership of 78 runs followed for the sixth wicket. Nicol Loftie Eaton (49) batted well, but was run out in the eventful 34th over by Zane Green, who had just replaced Jan Frylinck (34).
It was a credit to the Netherlands that it got Namibia all out within the available 45 overs for 203 in 41.3 overs. That seemed a low score, but was the highest total in the tournament so far. Viv Kingma was untouchable with 3-19, Van der Merwe took 2-33, Dutt 2-41.
Innings Netherlands
Levitt was given LBW almost immediately. Max O'Dowd and Sybrand Engelbrecht compensated for the quick fall of the first wicket with a partnership of 33 for the second wicket.
The scoring rate was slow, but it was crucial that no wickets would fall. That went well until 83 (Bas de Leede 24). O'Dowd fought his way to 41 with characteristic determination, but fell victim to a brilliant catch by Frylinck off his own bowling (91/4). The chances of a Dutch victory shrunk further when Edwards was caught at slip (94/5).
Noah Croes and Shariz Ahmad (19) brought the Netherlands back into the match with a partnership of 54 for the seventh wicket. However, mainly due to disciplined spin bowling and excellent ground fielding, the required run rate increased to eight runs per over. There were also wickets at crucial moments.
When Ahmad was caught, the tailenders were unable to take the win. The economy rate of the four Namibian spinners was only 3.00 runs per over; Gerhard Erasmus took 3-33 and Bernard Scholz 2-14, with the Netherlands finishing 25 runs short of the target.
