The FNB Namibia Eagles got off to a strong start in the T20 Tri-Nations series with their upcoming youngsters playing starring roles in their opening three victories.
On Friday they beat Hong Kong by seven wickets, with Alexander Volschenk winning the man of the match award, while they beat Nigeria by 90 runs on Saturday with Junior Taanyanda winning the man of the match award.
On Monday, Taanyanda once again impressed in their 30-run victory against Hong Kong, but the experienced Jan Frylinck won the man of the match award with a great century.
On Friday, Volschenk gave a great batting performance to steer Namibia to victory, one day before his 21st birthday.
After being sent in to bat, Hong Kong were bundled out for 126, with Rath Anshuman and Khan Aiziz both scoring 32. For Namibia, JJ Smit took three wickets for 19 runs, Max Heingo 2/17 and Waldo Smith 2/20, while the bowlers were backed up by excellent fielding and some great catches.
In reply, Namibia lost Malan Kruger (1) and Jan Frylinck (2) early on, but Gerhard Erasmus and Volschenk steadied the ship before Erasmus was dismissed for 20.
JJ Smit joined Volschenk and put Namibia in control with an unbeaten 94-run partnership.
Volschenk led the way, scoring 69 not out off 56 balls (1×4, 5×6), while Smit scored 31 off 22 balls (1×4, 2×6).
On Saturday, the Eagles amassed 194/3 off their 20 overs and then dismissed Nigeria for 104 to seal a dominant victory.
Taanyanda, who only turned 21 earlier this month, made a great debut for the Eagles, after opening the batting with Jan Frylinck.
They shared an opening stand of 88 off just over 10 overs, before Frylinck was dismissed for 32.
Erasmus joined Taanyanda and the run spree continued as they put on 62 for the second wicket before Erasmus was dismissed for 49 off 20 balls, which included one four and six sixes.
Taanyanda, meanwhile, went on to reach his half century and batted right through the innings, remaining unbeaten on 74 which came off 50 balls, and included seven fours and two sixes.
Nigeria’s best bowler was Mohammed Taiwo who took two wickets for 37 runs.
In reply, Nigeria got off to a solid start with Selim Salau and Isaac Danladi putting on 51 runs for the opening wicket. JJ Smit’s dismissal of Danladi for 32, however, started a slide as they lost their next nine wickets for only 53 runs.
Salau was run out for 28, while the only other batter to get double figures was Sylvester Okpe with 18.
JC Balt was Namibia’s best bowler, taking 3/7, while Jack Brassell took 2/13 and Waldo Smith 2/18.
On Monday, Taanyanda once again starred with the bat but it was Frylinck who stole the show with a great century.
They shared a massive opening partnership of 181 runs, before Taanyanda was dismissed for 56 off 33 balls (4×6, 4×4).
Frylinck went on to reach his century and eventually remained not out on 110 coming off 56 balls (8×6, 5×4), while Erasmus was not out on 31 as they reached 230/6 off their 20 overs.
In reply Hong Kong scored 200/6 with Hayai Babar scoring 60 and Ali Zeeshan 53, while JJ Smit took 2/17 and Jack Brassell 2/50.
