Baard’s captain’s innings gives Namibia good start

A captain’s innings by Stephan Baard gave Namibia a good start in their 3-Day Sunfoil Challenge against South Western Districts on Thursday, as they reached 248 for seven wickets at stumps.

Playing in Walvis Bay at the Sparta field, the 23-year-old Baard showed great composure and maturity as he racked up his maiden first-class century, before he was eventually out for 114, which came off 214 balls and included 10 fours and one six.

Earlier Namibia won the toss and elected to bat, but they got off to a poor start. Xander Pitchers was dismissed for eight runs and Michau du Preez for one as Namibia crashed to 26 for two.

Raymond van Schoor joined Baard and put Namibia back on track with a 61-run partnership before Van Schoor was dismissed for 20 runs.

Baard, meanwhile, reached his 50 shortly after lunch with a four off Marcello Piedt and found a good partner for the fourth wicket in JP Kotze. The two shared a partnership of 85 runs before Kotze was out for 39 off 106 balls, which included five fours and one six.

Sarel Burger was dismissed cheaply, run out for one, but Baard went on to reach his century off Gurshwin Rabie’s bowling in the 75th over.

After reaching three figures, Baard tried to up the tempo but he didn’t last long as he was trapped LBW by Siya Simetu for 114.

Zane Green and Pikky Ya France put on 34 runs for the seventh wicket before Green was out for 24, and at stumps, ya France was not out on 21 and JJ Smit not out opn 4 as Namibia reached 248 fpr seven wickets off 104 overs.

For SWD, Marcello Piedt took two wickets for 31 runs off 15 overs, while Siya Simetu took two for 64 off 25 overs.

The match continues on Friday and Saturday at the Sparta field, while the two sides will play a T20 match at the same venue on Sunday.

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