Staff Reporter
NAMIBIA and Ireland head into the third One-Day International (ODI) at the High Performance Oval in Windhoek today with the five-match series level at 1-1, as both teams look to take the advantage in a closely contested series.
Ireland won the opening match by 55 runs before Namibia responded with a 31-run victory in the second ODI, setting up an important encounter in which the winner will move ahead with two matches remaining.
Namibia will once again look to captain Gerhard Erasmus, who produced a career-best unbeaten 156 off 125 balls in the previous match to help his side post 321/6. Jan Frylinck provided valuable support with 76 off 90 deliveries.
However, Namibia will need greater contributions from the rest of the top order, with Michael van Lingen and Louren Steenkamp having made starts in the series without converting them into substantial scores. More consistent batting support could help Namibia build on Erasmus’s performances and strengthen its chances of taking control of the series.
The hosts will also be looking for early breakthroughs with the ball. Namibia have failed to take a wicket during the first Powerplay in either of the opening two matches, putting pressure on the bowlers during the middle overs. Ruben Trumpelmann and JJ Smit have kept the scoring in check with the new ball, but early wickets will be important if Namibia are to restrict Ireland.
For Ireland, captain Paul Stirling has led the batting effort with consecutive scores of more than 50 runs. The visitors will need greater contributions from Andy Balbirnie, Harry Tector and Lorcan Tucker, none of whom has scored a half-century in the series so far.
Ireland’s spin bowlers Gavin Hoey and George Dockrell have been among the key contributors with the ball, while pace bowlers Jai Moondra and Liam McCarthy will be expected to make a greater impact as the visitors seek to contain Namibia’s batting line-up.
Conditions could again play a significant role in Tuesday’s match. The surface has offered challenging batting conditions, with its two-paced nature making strokeplay more difficult as the ball gets older. Both opening matches were won by the team batting first, which could influence the captains’ decisions at the toss.
The effect of the hot sun on the pitch as the match progresses could also make chasing more difficult.
Namibia’s recent form in their last five completed ODIs stands at three wins and two defeats, while Ireland have recorded one win and four defeats over the same period.
The third ODI starts at 09:30 Namibian time at the High Performance Oval in Windhoek.
Results so far
First ODI: Ireland 229/9 (50 overs) beat Namibia 174 (37.5 overs) by 55 runs.
Second ODI: Namibia 321/6 (50 overs) beat Ireland 290 (47.3 overs) by 31 runs.
Photo: Cricket Namibia
