Namibia completed a comprehensive victory against Kenya in their ICC Intercontinental Cup match yesterday. Namibia bowled Kenya out for 325 in their second innings with the result that they won the match by an innings and one run.
After Namibia’s huge first innings total of 630 for seven declared, Kenya were always under pressure with a deficit of 326 runs on the first innings and the only question was whether they would be able to see out the final day’s play.
They started the day at 109/2 but it was not long before Irfan Karim was dismissed off Sarel Burger’s bowling without adding to his overnight score of 59.
Nightwatchman Hiren Varaiya added 22 runs before being caught by Raymond van Schoor off Christi Viljoen’s bowling, while Collins Obuya added a quickfire 46 off 51 balls before he, too, was caught behind off Sarel Burger’s bowling.
Tanmay Mishra, who scored 108 in the first innings, was once again in fine form and went about repairing Kenya’s innings.
But Namibia’s bowlers kept on plugging away in the hot conditions and gradually broke down Kenya’s resistance.
Spin bowler Ian Opperman had Rakep Patel caught behind for 24, while pace bowler Louis Klazinga bowled Maurice Ouma for 16 and Nelson Odhiambo for 7.
Mishra was joined by Nehemiah Odhiambo, who attacked the bowling from the start to score a quickfire 31 off 41 balls before he was caught behind off Viljoen.
Mishra was the last batsman out, bowled by Klazinga for 51, as the whole team was out for 325, to give Namibia victory by an innings and one run.
Klazinga and Viljoen were Namibia’s most successful bowlers, with Klazinga taking 3/82 off 20 overs while Viljoen took 3/72 off 28 overs.
Ian Opperman took 2/55 while Jason Davidson and Sarel Burger each took one wicket.
Namibia had earlier restricted Kenya to 304 all out in their first innings with Christi Viljoen taking four wickets for 107 runs, Louis Klazinga three wickets for 52 runs and Jason Davidson two wickets for 52 runs.
Namibia then took control of the match after a great batting display led by Craig Williams and Gerrie Snyman. Williams scored 140 from 194 balls which included 16 fours and three sixes, but Snyman upstaged him with a brilliant 201 off 192 balls which included 22 fours and seven sixes.
There were also good contributions from Sarel Burger (85) and Nicolaas Scholtz (66).
With the victory, Namibia collected a maximum 20 points from the match which has seen them moving up to fourth position on the log on 43 points from four matches.
Ireland lead the eight-team log on 67 points, followed by Scotland on 46 and Afghanistan on 44 points. Kenya remain seventh on the log on 22 points.
Namibia and Kenya will face each other in two 50-over matches at the United field tomorrow and on Saturday.
