Namibia, Border draw SAA Challenge match

NAMIBIA drew their SAA Challenge cricket match against Border in East London on Saturday after a rain interruption came to Namibia’s rescue. Border seemed to be on course to win the match when they were set a winning target of only 148 runs, but a rain interruption of about two hours delayed their run chase and they eventually reached 88 for three wickets when the match was called off.

With a first-innings lead of 95 runs, Border held the initiative and when they dismissed Namibia for 242 runs in their second innings they seemed set to win the match.
Namibia’s top order batsmen failed to apply themselves as wickets fell at regular intervals. Deon Kotze was out for 17 and when Nicolaas Scholtz was out for a duck, Namibia were struggling at 20 for two.
Gerrie Snyman was in typical belligerent mood and raced to a half century before being dismissed for 53, which came off only 39 balls and included three sixes and seven fours.
Raymond van Schoor was out for 25 and when Louis Vorster was run out for 11 Namibia were struggling at 5/124, with a lead of only 29 runs.
WILLIAMS TO THE RESCUE
Craig Williams came to Namibia’s rescue with a fine innings as he took the bowlers on with some aggressive batting. He seemed set to reach a century but was bowled for 82 which came off 108 balls and included 11 fours and one six.
Tobie Verwey added 18, Louis Klazinga 17, while Hendrik Marx and Bernard Scholtz were out for 3 and a duck respectively as Namibia were all out for 242.
With a winning target of only 148 runs Border seemed to have the match in the bag, but Louis Klazinga gave Namibia early hope when he dismissed Shaun de Kock for 5.
Matthew Richardson was run out for 21 while Kevin Bennet was out for 25, caught by Deon Kotze off Craig Williams’ bowling.
Bryn Thomas (25) and Murray Ranger (5) were the not out batsmen when the match was called off.
Deon Kotze with 64 and Louis Vorster with 58 not out were Namibia’s top batsmen in their first innings total of 255/8 declared. Border declared their first innings at 350/8 with Kevin Bennet scoring 176.
Namibia’s wicket takers were Nicolaas Scholtz (3/85 off 13 overs), Louis Klazinga (2/80 off 20 overs), Craig Williams (1/21 off 8) and Bernard Scholtz (1/38 off 12).
Border received 10 bonus points while Namibia collected 8.1 bonus points.
Yesterday’s limited overs SAA Cup match between the two sides was abandoned due to the rain.