SOUTH Western Districts (SWD) held a 44-run lead over Namibia after an extraordinary day’s play that saw 22 wickets tumble before tea in their CSA Sunfoil 3-Day match in Oudsthoorn on Thursday.
After being sent in to bat, Namibia crashed to 44 all out off 16,4 overs, but SWD didn’t fare much better and were dismissed for 88 in their first innings.
Namibia’s innings got off to a dreadful start as they lost their first three wickets with only seven runs on the board.
They couldn’t recover as the wickets continued to tumble, and by the 12th over they had slumped to 27 for seven wickets.
Craig Williams, with 32 not out, provided some resistance, but he received little support as the whole team was out for a paltry 44.
SWD opening bowler Glenton Stuurman was the chief destroyer and ended up with excellent figures of seven wickets for 12 runs off 8,4 overs.
SWD, however, didn’t do much better in their first innings, as they were bundled out for 88 runs.
They seemed to be well set at 64 for three wickets, but then lost their last seven wickets for only 24 runs.
Namibian captain Sarel Burger was the stand-out bowler, taking five wickets for 13 runs off 12,5 overs, while JJ Smit took 2/22 and Danie van Schoor 2/16.
Namibia’s second innings did not get off too well as they lost Xander Pitchers for four and Michau du Preez for 18, but Stephen Baard and Craig Williams steadied the ship.
They shared an unbroken partnership of 65 runs for the third wicket to take Namibia’s total to 96/2 at stumps on the first day.
Baard was not out on 35 off 132 balls, which included two fours, while Williams was not out on 38 off 65 balls which included five fours.
Namibia now have a lead of 52 runs with eight wickets in hand.
The match continues on Friday and Saturday, while the two side will play a 50-over match on Sunday.
The scorecard:
http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/1024831.html
