Staff Reporter
NAMIBIA produced a strong batting performance against the United States, posting 298/9 before the hosts chased down the target with seven balls to spare in an entertaining ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2 clash in Dallas.
The 597-run match aggregate was the highest recorded in an ODI involving Namibia and the USA, highlighting the high-scoring nature of the contest.
Chasing 299 for victory, the USA reached 299/6 in 48.5 overs to win by four wickets.
Namibia’s bowlers kept the hosts under pressure at various stages, but Monank Patel’s century and Shehan Jayasuriya’s 74 helped the USA maintain their chase.
Patel scored 108 from 100 balls, including 14 fours, before Ruben Trumpelmann dismissed him with the USA on 215/2.
Jayasuriya added 74 from 75 balls, while Milind Kumar contributed 18 off 13 balls before Bernard Scholtz dismissed him with the USA on 276/6.
Namibia fought back in the closing stages, but the USA needed only 16 runs from the final three overs and reached the target with seven balls remaining.
Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton and Scholtz claimed two wickets each for Namibia, while JJ Smit also took two wickets.
Earlier, Michael van Lingen’s 124 and Gerhard Erasmus’ 76 helped Namibia reach 298/9 after opting to bat first.
Despite the defeat, Namibia’s total and the record match aggregate provided another high-scoring contest in their League 2 campaign.
Namibia will next face the United Arab Emirates in their ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2 match at Grand Prairie Cricket Stadium in Dallas on Friday, 9 October.
Photo: ICC-Cricket
