Windhoek
A heavily water-logged pitch last Sunday pushed the ICC World Cricket League contest between hosts Namibia and Kenya to the reserve day, until the sun finally shone in Windhoek on Monday, allowing an uninterrupted match at the Wanderer’s Cricket Ground.
Kenya, who scored 215 in its 50 overs after electing to bat first, went on to to claim victory against the host nation, scoring 92 runs to climb up to the summit of the log table.
Despite losing a few wickets early on, Kenya’s batsmen kept the scoreboard ticking, negating the pressure created by Namibian bowlers Bernard Scholtz, Craig Williams and Sarel Burger, who had reduced the visitors to 68 for 5 by the 19th over.
A sixth-wicket partnership of 57 off 86 balls between Nelson Odhiambo (46) and
Gurdeep Singh (39) shored up the innings, before JJ Smit enjoyed a late run out in the 33rd over. The scoreboard stood at 125 at the time.
But Odhiambo’s persistence and Lucas Olioch’s late cameo (33 off 32 balls) ensured that Kenya set Stephan Bard’s men an insurmountable target of 216 for victory.
Namibia had adopted a cautious start to its chase, knocking the first six overs around for just 22 runs.
But Uloch, the left-arm pacer, broke the partnership by removing Baard, and initiated the hosts’ downfall.
Six more wickets tumbled in the next 13.4 overs to put a break on the chase, leaving Namibia tottering at 57 for 7 in the 20th over.
Smit, who remained unbeaten until the end, scored a valiant 51-ball 31, with support from Christopher Coombe, the No. 11 batsman, who scored 28 off 45 balls before being trapped in front by Hiren Varaiya in the 39th over, ending the Namibian innings on 123.
Otieno, Oluoch, and Varaiya picked up one wicket apiece, while Odhiambo, Ngoche and Rakep Patel all had two wickets against their name. Kenya picked up two crucial points from the victory.