Namibia’s Under 19 cricket team went to the top of the log in the U-19 Africa Championship in Tanzania after two crushing victories in their first two matches.
On Saturday they beat Tanzania by 102 runs and on Sunday beat Nigeria by 164 runs to go to the top of the log, ahead of Uganda on run rate. Namibia and Uganda are both on four points, while Kenya and Tanzania are on two points and Botswana and Nigeria on zero points.
On Sunday, Namibia scored 251 for five wickets and then dismissed Nigeria for 87 to complete a crushing 164-run win.
Namibia lost their openers Tiaan Steenkamp (2) and Jurgen Linde (5) cheaply, but a century partnership between Zane Green and SJ Loftie-Eaton revived their innings. Loftie-Eaton top-scored with 80 off 96 balls and Green added 64 off 86 balls, while further down the innings, Mias Strauss scored 55 not out and Chrischen Olivier 25 not out.
Nigeria’s batsmen couldn’t handle Namibia’s pace attack as they lost their first five wickets with only 17 runs on the board.
There was a bit of a middle order revival but Nigeria could not recover and were all out for 87 runs.
Hendrik Koekemoer was Namibia’s top bowler, taking four wickets for 13 runs off seven overs, while Fritz Coetzee had brilliant figures of three wickets for three runs off six overs.
On Saturday, Namibia’s got off to a great start with a 102-run victory against the hosts, Tanzania.
Namibia looked set for a big score when they reached 160 for four wickets, but they lost their last six wickets for only 25 runs to be all out for 187 off their 50 overs.
SJ Loftie Eaton top-scored with 46, while Nico Davin added 41 and Jurgen Linde 34.
It wasn’t a very big target, but a great bowling display by Fritz Coetzee destroyed the Tanzanian innings.
He took their first three wickets with only 17 runs on the board and eventually bagged five wickets for 25 runs as Tanzania crashed to 85 all out.
Hendrik Koekemoer weighed in with two wickets, while Mias Strauss, SJ Loftie Eaton and Tiaan Steenkamp each took one wicket.
The top team of the tournament will qualify directly for the 2016 Junior World Cup in Bangladesh, while the second-placed team will enter an intercontinental qualifier for the final spot.
In an age of information overload, Sunrise is The Namibian’s morning briefing, delivered at 6h00 from Monday to Friday. It offers a curated rundown of the most important stories from the past 24 hours – occasionally with a light, witty touch. It’s an essential way to stay informed. Subscribe and join our newsletter community.
The Namibian uses AI tools to assist with improved quality, accuracy and efficiency, while maintaining editorial oversight and journalistic integrity.
Stay informed with The Namibian – your source for credible journalism. Get in-depth reporting and opinions for
only N$85 a month. Invest in journalism, invest in democracy –
Subscribe Now!
