Gerhard Erasmus struck an unbeaten 156 off 125 balls to help Namibia level their five-game one-day international series against Ireland at one win apiece. The Namibia captain then took the final two wickets as his side won by 31 runs in Windhoek. His previous highest ODI score had been 125.
Erasmus shines with bat and ball
Erasmus produced a career-best batting performance that set an imposing total of 321 for 6 from their 50 overs. Frylinck added 76 from 90 deliveries to support him.
The 31-year-old then returned to take the final two wickets of the innings, as Ireland’s tail threatened to complete an unlikely chase.
Ireland struggle in the field
Ireland captain Paul Stirling won the toss and asked the hosts to bat first. His bowlers struggled, especially in the death overs. Without leading seamer Mark Adair again, Byron McDonough took a wicket with the first ball of his spell but finished with 1 for 71. Curtis Campher also conceded heavily in his 10 overs, taking 1 for 74.
Gavin Hoey was the pick of the Irish bowlers. He matched his three wickets from Wednesday’s victory and returned figures of 3 for 53.
Stirling fifty not enough
Chasing 322, Stirling continued his good form with his second half-century of the series. He scored 77 from 71 deliveries. His dismissal, leg before wicket to Jack Brassell, started a collapse in which three batters fell for just six runs.
Brassell led the Namibia attack with 4 for 52, also removing Lorcan Tucker, George Dockrell and Campher.
A ninth-wicket stand of 58 between Hoey and Jai Moondra briefly brought Ireland within sight of victory. However, Moondra was out for 20, caught and bowled by Erasmus, and Ireland’s hopes ended soon after.
Series heads to match three
The series resumes on Tuesday with the third match in Windhoek. Ireland will use the tour to continue their preparations for next year’s World Cup qualifiers.