Maqonda Ndlovu
Namibia’s Richelieu Eagles and Indian State Cricket Club Karnataka are level at one-all in the ongoing five-match Castle Light Series which is taking place at the United Cricket Club in Windhoek after two matches.
The visitors were the first to strike when they beat Namibia by nine wickets in the first match of the series on Friday.
The Eagles posted 171 runs for the loss of 10 (171/10) wickets in 41.1 overs after the visitors had won the toss and elected to field first.
Karnataka responded with 172/1 in 35.5 overs to comfortably win the match by nine wickets.
Jan Frylinck and Merwe Erasmus top scored for Namibia with 57 and 31 runs respectively with the latter picking up the only wickets of the match.
In the second match on Sunday, Namibia won the toss and elected to bowl first, allowing Karnataka to post a huge total of 360/4 in 50 overs.
The Eagles batsmen rose to the occasion and managed to chase down the huge total, scoring 362/5 in 49.5 overs to level the series at one all.
Third man Michael Van Lingen scored 104 off 85 balls while captain Erasmus chipped in with 91 runs from 67 balls.
Nico Davin added 70 runs from 62 balls to lead Namibia to a five-wicket victory.
Speaking to New Era Sport, coach Pierre de Bruyne said the team got themselves out soft in the first match because they did not put a value on their wickets.
“The guys trained very well but I sensed they were overconfident and complacent with the bat. We failed to rescue ourselves from trouble with the bat. We have discussed it and we are taking those lessons,” he said.
He added that they responded well by executing a “perfect” chase which was led by the opening pair of Steven Baard and Niko Davin which saw them put up a 119 opening stand.
He said Erasmus and Van Lingen were ruthless in their next partnership as they put Karnataka to the sword with a 183-run partnership.
De Bruyne said he is impressed by a lot of things, especially the bowling part.
“We bowled well under difficult conditions, Ben Shikongo bowled 13 perfect yorkers out of 18 in the death and that to me is outstanding. Van Lingen is now making it a habit of making hundred and that impresses me. The opposition is a skilful side. They will teach us a lot,” he said.
He added the next three matches will see the Eagles pushing themselves even more to compete and ensure that they challenge themselves under pressure.
The coach said he wants his players to avoid being complacent and use opportunities to claim a place in the team.
The Eagles and Karnataka face each other today in the third match of the series at the same venue. – jrnmarko@gmail.com