Namibia’s national team got off to a good start in their ICC Intercontinental Cup match against Hong Kong in Windhoek as they posted 268 runs for six wickets off 96 overs at stumps on the opening day’s play.
Namibia won the toss and elected to bat first. Hong Kong started off with a great spell of bowling up front, getting rid of both Xander Pitchers (11) and Stephen Baard (5) cheaply, with both batsmen being caught behind.
Namibia’s innings was resurrected by senior batsman Raymond van Schoor and Gerhard Erasmus, as they took the score to 113/2 at the lunch break.
After the lunch break however, Hong Kong came back strongly, getting rid of Gerhard Erasmus for 49 runs when he played a loose shot going for a wide ball. Van Schoor carried on to make his 50 but was out soon after, LBW for 52 off Haseeb Amjad’s bowling.
JP Kotze did not last long, as he played the ball straight to the midwicket fielder.
Former captain Sarel Burger was then joined by current captain, Nikolaas Scholtz and they started the rebuilding process.
Both batsmen reached their 50’s, battling hard against some tight bowling from Hong Kong.
Sarel Burger was unlucky to be caught behind to a ball that appeared to bounce short of the fielder for 52, but thanks to a brilliant knock from the skipper, Namibia were able to finish the day well-placed at 268/8.
Scholtz finished on an unbeaten 83 while JJ Smit was not out on 4.
Haseeb Amjad was Hong Kong’s best bowler, taking 3/46 off 20 overs, while Nadeem Ahmed took 2/72 off 27 overs.
The match continues at the Wanderers field at 09h00 on Monday morning.
The scorecard:
http://www.espncricinfo.com/icc-intercontinental-cup-2015-17/engine/match/870873.html
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