July 2001 Sport News Headlines

Monday, July 16, 2001 - Web posted at 11:42:56 GMT

Brilliant Burton secures World Cup berth for Namibia
HELGE SCHUTZ AND AFP

Namibia scored a sensational nine-run victory against Scotland at the International Cricket Council (ICC) Trophy competition on Friday to qualify for the 2003 cricket World Cup.

Chasing a victory target of 257, Scotland seemed to be cruising to victory at 224 for the loss of four wickets until 19-year-old fast bowler Burton van Rooi was re-introduced to the attack in the 45th over.

He first clean-bowled Scotland's top scorer Colin Smith for 88 runs and then bowled Maiden for one run with the last ball of the over.

Their departure opened Scotland's floodgates as they lost their last five wickets for just 22 runs, enabling the 13th seed Namibia to secure victory by nine runs.

Van Rooi, a graduate of Namibia's development program, stunned the top seed Scotland with a devastating burst in his second spell in which he picked up five of his six wickets off 25 balls.

"He (Van Rooi) was the difference in what was a wonderful game of cricket," acknowledged Scotland's manager Jim Love.

"I am disappointed that we lost, but at the same time Namibia must be congratulated."

Earlier Namibian captain Danie Keulder was once again the mainstay of the batting, hitting 104 runs to guide Namibia to a total of 256 for the loss of six wickets off their 50 overs.

Opener Riaan Walters added 43 runs, while Gavin Murgatroyd (35), Jan Berrie Burger (30) and Melt van Schoor (32 not out) all contributed in the middle order.

Scotland got off to a solid start, with Smith and Parsons adding 127 runs in a third wicket partnership.

When van Rooi however returned to the attack their line-up crumbled as the 19-year old went on to post his best figures of his career, with six wickets for 43 runs to take the man of the match award.

"I was under a lot of pressure. I just tried to pitch it up and keep the ball full."

He also showed an impressive mastery of the slower ball for one so young and claimed two wickets with it before finishing the match by having last man Keith Sheridan lbw for a first ball nought.

"It's something I've been working on. Deon Kotze at one point was encouraging me to use the slower ball and it worked," explained Van Rooi, who only started playing cricket three years ago.

Van Rooi, who turned 19 on July 9, was carried off the field on the shoulders of his jubilant team-mates but said he was not planning to do any more wild celebrating.

"I normally drink soft drinks. I don't think they would let me drink any beer."

Although Namibia have now already qualified for the World Cup, after remaining unbeaten throughout the tournament, they were scheduled to play Holland in yesterday's final to determine the winning team of the tournament.

Host nation Canada and Scotland play in tomorrow's third-place play-off to determine the third team which will go to the World Cup.

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