3rd Place Play-off, Dubai, November 02, 2019, 03:40 PM
Ireland
135/10(19.1ov)
Namibia
108/10(18.2ov)
Ireland beat Namibia by 27 runs
That's all from this game! One more match to go. Papua New Guinea face off Netherlands in the final of the ICC T20 World Cup Qualifiers. Join us for that at 1930 local (1530 GMT). Until then, cheers.
Gary Wilson, the Ireland skipper says it is good to sign off with a win. Adds that 135 was a par score and credits the bowlers that they bowled well. Credits Simi Singh for bowling very well. Mentions that when you see two young lads batting well it is good for the team. Wilson also says that he is happy with the performance of Mark Adair and Gareth Delany. Ends by saying that his team has qualified for the T20 World Cup in Australia but they would have liked to play in the final. Adds that Netherlands played a better game and they deserve to be in the final.
Gerhard Erasmus, the Namibian skipper, says that they bowled better than yesterday and they would have taken 135 at the hal;f way mark. They needed a partnership to go deep but it was not to be. Adds that his wicket changed the match a little but they wanted to deep into this innings. On going to Australia, Erasmus says that it is going to be exciting twelve months for them and it will be challenging as well. The services have been good over here and they look forward to coming back.
Simi Singh is the Man of the Match. He says that he is happy with the performance of the team and it has been great. Adds that he is happy that he got a chance to play. Singh also says the catch of Kotze which he took got stuck in his hands. Mentions that everyone contributed well and it has been a team performance. Ends by saying that the team is ready to go to Australia.
Namibia, on the other hand, were brilliant with the ball keeping the Irish in check but when they came out to bat, they were blown away by the bowlers from Ireland. They were made to dance to their tunes and courtesy some poor shots, were shot out for just 108. Only Gerhard Erasmus stood out for them with a fifty but could not continue. Stay tuned for the presentation ceremony.
The day did not start on the best note for the Irish as they were bundled out for a paltry score of 135. They lost wickets in a heap and they have Andrew Balbirnie to thank for getting them to that score. But then, the bowlers did their job and restricted Namibia to 108.
Excellent bowling performance from Irish! They have managed to defend a paltry total and they will finish third in the ICC T20 World Cup Qualifiers. They had their backs to the wall after the first innings but their bowlers were right on the money. They bowled excellent lines and lengths and gave the Namibians no chance. They should be very happy with their performance.
18.2
W
OUT! CAUGHT! Full delivery on off, Shikongo chips it to covers where Balbirnie takes a good catch. IRELAND WIN THE MATCH BY 27 RUNS!
18.1
1
Short delivery on middle, Scholtz pulls it towards mid on for a single.
Ben Shikongo is the last man in. Mark Adair is back on. 3-0-8-1 are his figures so far.
In over# 1
0W
0
1
0
0W
0
Boyd Rankin 17/2(3)
17.6
W
OUT! CAUGHT! Another one perishes. This is excellent stuff from the Irish! Rankin bowls a full delivery on middle, Groenewald looks to loft it over the mid on fielder but it hits the inside half of his bat and goes towards Kevin O'Brien who makes no mistake this time and pouches it safely.
17.5
.
A short delivery which has been pulled away.
17.4
1
Good length ball on off, Scholtz guides this to third man and takes a single to get off the mark.
17.3
.
Good length ball on off, Scholtz defends it towards point. The non-striker wants the single but is sent back. The fielder has a shy at the bowler's end and hits but the batsman was just in.
Bernard Scholtz is the new batsman in.
17.2
W
OUT! BOWLED! YOU MISS I HIT, SAYS RANKIN! Full delivery on middle, Smit makes room towards the leg side to loft this over cover but fails to put any bat on it. The ball goes onto hit the middle stump. Ireland are just two wickets away from securing third position.
17.1
.
BEATEN! Good length ball outside off, Smit looks to cut but fails to put any bat on it.
Boyd Rankin is back into the attack.
In over# 1
1
6
0
1
0
0
Craig Young 8/0(1)
16.6
1
Bowls a yorker on off, Smit does well to dig it out. It goes towards mid off. The batsmen take a run.
16.5
6
SIX! Amazing shot. Short of a length delivery, Smit pulls it over wide long on for a maximum.
16.4
.
Play and a miss! On a good length and outside off, Smit looks to swing at this one but misses it.
16.3
1
Full delivery on middle, Groenewald drives it through mid on. The batsmen take a run.
16.2
.
Good length delivery on off, Groenewald defends it off the back foot.
16.1
.
On a length on middle, Groenewald flicks it to mid-wicket.
Craig Young is into the attack for the first time today.
In over# 1
1
0W
2
1
1
0
Simi Singh 25/3(4)
15.6
1
Tossed up delivery on off, Groenewald plays it towards covers for a single. 5 runs and a wicket from the over. Namibia need 38 runs in 24 balls to win the match. Simi Singh finishes his spell with figures of 4-0-25-3.
Zhivago Groenewald is the next batsman in.
15.5
W
OUT! CAUGHT! Simple catch for Mark Adair. Flighted delivery on middle, Viljoen looks to flick but gets a top edge. It goes towards mid-wicket where Adair takes a simple catch.
15.4
2
Tossed up delivery on off, Viljoen lofts it over covers. The batsmen get two runs.
15.3
1
Flighted delivery on middle, Smit plays it towards mid-wicket. The batsmen cross ends.
15.2
1
Tossed up delivery on middle, Viljoen drives it through mid on. The batsmen take a run.
15.1
.
Flighted delivery on off, Viljoen plays a reverse sweep to the off side.
Simi Singh is back on. 3-0-20-2 are his figures so far.
In over# 1
0
1
0W
1lb
0
0
Mark Adair 8/1(3)
14.6
.
Good length ball outside off, Smit lets the ball go to the keeper.
14.5
1
Full delivery outside off, Viljoen drives it to cover and takes a single.
Christi Viljoen is the next batsman in.
14.4
W
OUT! CAUGHT! Erasmus falls after playing an excellent knock here! He needed to continue to help his side win this match. Short delivery on middle and leg, Erasmus pulls this nicely but finds Rankin at short fine leg to perfection. Namibia still require 44 runs to win this match.
14.3
1lb
Good length ball on middle, Smit looks to pull it but gets hit on the pads. The ball rolls towards the leg side and the batters take a leg bye.
14.2
.
RUN OUT CHANCE MISSED! Fullish delivery on off, Smit drives this towards the cover region. Erasmus wants the single but is sent back by Smit. The fielder at cover throws it to the bowler but he fails to collect the ball properly allowing the batsman to get back in.
14.1
.
Full delivery on middle, Smit drives this uppishly but it goes wide of the bowler. No run taken.
Mark Adair is back into the attack. 2-0-7-0 are his figures so far.
In over# 1
0
0
1
1
0
4
Gareth Delany 23/2(4)
13.6
.
DROPPED! That was a tough chance for Kevin O'Brien. Flighted delivery on off, Erasmus lofts it over covers but it goes to short cover where Kevin O'Brien jumps and tries to take it but spills it. It was a real tough chance for him.
13.5
.
Punched off the back foot by the batsman.
13.4
1
Tossed up delivery on off, Smit drives it through mid off for a run.
13.3
1
Floated delivery on off, Erasmus plays it towards covers and takes a single.
13.2
.
Short delivery on off, Erasmus cuts it to point.
13.1
4
FOUR! Fifty for Erasmus. It has been a great innings from him. Short delivery on middle, Erasmus pulls it over mid-wicket for a boundary.
Gareth Delany is back on. 3-0-17-2 are his figures so far.
In over# 1
0
1
2
2
1
1
Boyd Rankin 16/0(2)
12.6
.
On a good length on off, Smit plays it to the off side. Namibia need 51 runs in 42 balls to win the match.
12.5
1
Length delivery on middle, Erasmus flicks it through mid-wicket for a single.
12.4
2
Short delivery outside off, Erasmus cuts it through point. The batsmen get two runs. This is good running between the wickets from both the batsmen.
12.3
2
On a good length on off, Erasmus guides it easily towards third man. The batsmen pick up a couple.
12.2
1
Length delivery on middle, Smit flicks it towards mid-wicket for a quick single.
12.1
1
On a length on off, Erasmus guides it towards third man for a single.
JJ Smit is the new man in. Boyd Rankin is back on. 1-0-9-0 are his figures so far.
In over# 1
0W
0
4
1
2
2
Simi Singh 20/2(3)
11.6
W
OUT! STUMPED! Excellent piece of keeping and bowling this from the Irish! Flighted delivery on middle and leg, Green looks to flick it but misses. The ball goes in between the bat and pad. Wilson fails to collect it cleanly but he shows great presence of mind. Collects the ball and removes the stumps. The umpire gives it out and the replays show that Green was well out.
11.5
.
Another flighted delivery outside off, Green looks to play the reverse sweep but fails to put any bat on it. The keeper as well fails to collect it well but no harm done.
11.4
4
FOUR! Nicely played! Flighted delivery ouside off, Green plays the reverse sweep towards the third man region and picks up another boundary.
11.3
1
Flatter delivery on middle, Erasmus flicks it to square leg and crosses over for a single.
11.2
2
Full delivery on middle, Erasmus flicks it towards the deep mid-wicket region and by the time the fielder can cut it off, the batters take two.
11.1
2
Flatter delivery on middle and leg, Erasmus comes down the track and flicks it towards the deep square leg region for a couple. Excellent running.
In over# 1
0
1
5nb
4
4
2nb
2
0
Shane Getkate 25/1(3)
10.6
.
On a length on off, Green plays it to point. 18 runs have come from the over. Big over for Namibia.
10.5
1
Full delivery on middle, Erasmus flicks it through mid-wicket. The batsmen take a single.
Free Hit coming up!
10.5
5nb
NO BALL! FOUR! The umpire gives it a no ball for height. Bowls a waist high full toss, Erasmus looks to pull but gets a top edge. It goes over fine leg for a boundary.
10.4
4
FOUR! Back-to-back boundaries for Shane Getkate. Full delivery on off, Erasmus drives it through covers for a boundary.
10.3
4
FOUR! Erasmus makes good use of the Free Hit. Full toss on off, Erasmus pulls it over the deep mid-wicket region for a boundary.
10.3
2nb
NO BALL! Getkate oversteps! On a length on middle, Green flicks it through mid-wicket. The batsmen take a single. The next ball will be a Free Hit.
10.2
2
Short delivery on leg, Green pulls it through square leg. Harry Tector in the deep slides and does well to stop it. The batsmen get two runs.
10.1
.
On a good length on middle, Green plays it to mid on.
In over# 1
1
0
0
1
4
1
Simi Singh 11/1(2)
9.6
1
Short ball outside off, Green punches this off the back foot towards the off side and takes a single.
9.5
.
Full delivery on middle, Zane pushes it back to the bowler.
9.4
.
Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat
9.3
1
Flighted ball on middle, Erasmus flicks it towards the leg side and picks up a single.
9.2
4
FOUR! Some innovation this time from Erasmus. Flighted ball on middle, Gerhard plays the reverse sweep towards the backward square leg region for a boundary. The fielder tries to stop it while diving but the ball rolls into the fence.
9.1
1
Flighted delivery outside off, Green drives it towards the cover fielder and takes a single.
Simi Singh is back into the attack. 1-0-4-1 are his figures so far.
In over# 1
0
2
0W
1
0
0
Shane Getkate 7/1(2)
8.6
.
Good length delivery on off, Erasmus blocks it off the back foot. 3 runs and a wicket from the over.
8.5
2
On a good length on off, Erasmus punches it through point. The batsmen pick up a couple.
Zane Green is the new man in.
8.4
W
OUT! CAUGHT! Good catch by Simi Singh. Short delivery on middle, Baard pulls it over mid-wicket but does not get the distance on it. It goes towards Singh who runs from long on, dives and takes a very good catch. Namibia lose their 4th wicket and are in desperate need of a partnership.
8.3
1
Short of a length delivery, Erasmus pulls it through square leg. The batsmen cross ends.
8.2
.
Length delivery on off, Erasmus plays it to point.
8.1
.
On a good length on off, Erasmus pushes it to mid off.
In over# 1
1
1
1
1
4
1
Boyd Rankin 9/0(1)
7.6
1
Good length ball on off. Erasmus guides it towards the third man region and takes a single.
7.5
1
Good length ball outside off, Stephan pushes it to point and takes off for a single. The fielder has a shy at the bowler's end but misses. It would not have mattered though as the batter was well in.
7.4
1
Good length ball on middle, Gerhard flicks it towards the deep mid-wicket region and takes a single.
7.3
1
Good length ball on off, Stephan guides this towards the third man region and takes a single.
7.2
4
FOUR! Nicely played! Shortish delivery on middle, Baard plays a lovely pull towards the deep mid-wicket region for a boundary. They need more of these.
7.1
1
Good length ball on middle, Gerhard flicks it towards deep square leg and takes a single.
Boyd Rankin is into the attack.
In over# 1
1
0
0
2
1
0
Shane Getkate 4/0(1)
6.6
1
On a good length on off, Erasmus punches it towards point for a single.
6.5
.
Length delivery on off, Erasmus plays it to the off side.
6.4
.
On a good length on off, Erasmus plays it to point.
6.3
2
Short delivery outside off, Erasmus cuts it through point. The fielder picks the ball and throws it to the keeper's end but the batsmen was well in. The batsmen get two runs.
6.2
1
On a good length and outside off, Baard looks to cut but gets an outside edge. It goes towards third man. The batsmen take a run.
6.1
.
Bowls a yorker on middle, Baard does well to dig it out and plays it back towards the bowler where Getkate does well to stop it with one hand in his followthrough.
Shane Getkate is into the attack.
In over# 1
4
4
0
0W
3
0
Gareth Delany 17/2(3)
5.6
4
FOUR! Another brilliant shot. Erasmus is looking to unsettle the bowler here. Delany bowls a loopy ball on middle, Gerhard plays another sweep shot towards the deep square leg region and collects another boundary. Namibia are 28/3 after 6 overs. It has been an excellent Powerplay for Ireland.
5.5
4
FOUR! Nicely played! Floated ball on middle, Gerhard plays the sweep shot towards the deep square leg region for a boundary. He is off the mark with this one.
5.4
.
Full delivery on middle, Erasmus pushes it back to the bowler.
Gerhard Erasmus, the skipper, comes out to bat.
5.3
W
OUT! LBW! That looks like a rough decision as Williams was way down the crease. Flighted ball on off, Williams comes down the track to flick it towards the leg side but misses. The ball hits the pads and the players appeal. The umpire gives it out after some thought. Williams was looking like he had gone past the 3.5m mark and it might be a poor decision in the end. Namibia are in shatters at the moment. They are in desperate need of a partnership.
5.2
3
Full delivery on middle, Baard sweeps this beautifully towards deep square leg but Harry Tector runs in from deep mid-wicket and makes an excellent diving stop. The batters take three.
5.1
.
Flatter delivery on middle and leg, Baard looks to pull it but fials and gets hit on the pads. No run.
In over# 1
1
1
0
0
0
1
Mark Adair 7/0(2)
4.6
1
Good length ball on middle and leg, Baard flicks it towards the mid-wicket region and takes a single. 119 runs required off 15 overs.
4.5
1
Slower full delivery in the channel, Craig drives this towards mid off and crosses over for a single.
4.4
.
Good length ball on off, Williams pushes it to covers. Another dot.
4.3
.
On a length on middle, Craig defends it off the back foot towards the bowler.
4.2
.
Fullish delivery on off, Williams pushes it towards the cover region for nothing.
4.1
1
Good length ball on middle, Stephan flicks it towards the leg side and crosses over for a single.
Mark Adair is back into the attack. 1-0-4-0 are his figures so far.
In over# 1
0
0
1
0
2
0
Gareth Delany 6/1(2)
3.6
.
Flighted delivery on middle, Williams flicks it to mid-wicket. The fielder fires a throw at the keeper's end but the batsman was well in.
3.5
.
Tossed up delivery on off, Williams defends it out.
3.4
1
Floated delivery on middle, Baard flicks it towards square leg for a run.
3.3
.
BEATEN! Flighted delivery outside off, Baard looks to cut but misses it.
3.2
2
Short delivery on middle, Baard pulls it over mid-wicket. The batsmen get two runs.
3.1
.
Tossed up delivery on off, Baard looks to drive but gets an inside edge on this one. It goes just past the leg stump.
Craig Williams is the new batsman in.
In over# 1
0W
0
1
1
0
2
Simi Singh 4/1(1)
2.6
W
OUT! CAUGHT! That's an excellent catch from Simi Singh! This will give his side immense confidence. Flighted delivery outside off, Kotze looks to drive but it goes off the inside half of the bat towards the bowler. Simi dives to his left and plucks it out of thin air with one hand. Namibia two down very quickly here.
2.5
.
Beaten! Flighted ball outside off, Kotze looks to sweep but fails to put any bat on it.
2.4
1
The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. The batsmen have run through for a single.
2.3
1
Full delivery on middle, Kotze plays it to mid on and takes a single.
2.2
.
Flatter delivery on middle, Kotze pushes it to cover off the back foot.
2.1
2
Short ball outside off, Baard cuts it towards point and is wanting the single. He was ball watching and the fielder at point has a shy at the bowler's end but misses. Had he hit, Stephan was well out. The ball goes past towards mid-wicket allowing the batsmen to take another run.
Simi Singh is into the attack.
In over# 1
1
0
0W
0
0
2
Gareth Delany 3/1(1)
1.6
1
Loopy delivery on middle, Kotze flicks it through mid-wicket. The batsmen cross ends. 3 runs and a wicket from the over.
1.5
.
Flighted delivery on off, Kotze blocks it off the front foot.
JP Kotze is the new man in.
1.4
W
OUT! LBW! Ireland get an early breakthrough. Tossed up delivery on middle, Davin looks to sweep but misses it and gets hit on the pads. The bowler appeals for lbw and the umpire raises his finger immediately. It is a good start for Ireland because they are defending a small total.
1.3
.
Floated delivery on off, Davin punches it to point.
1.2
.
Flighted delivery on off, Davin keeps it out.
1.1
2
Tossed up delivery on off, Davin plays it towards covers where the fielder misfields and it goes through him. The batsmen get two runs.
Gareth Delany will bowl from the other end.
In over# 1
0
1
2
0
1
0
Mark Adair 4/0(1)
0.6
.
Good length delivery on off, Baard plays it to point. 4 runs have come from the first over.
0.5
1
On a length on off, Davin guides it towards third man. The batsmen take a single.
0.4
2
Full delivery on off, Davin lofts it over point. The batsmen get two runs.
0.3
.
On a good length on off, Davin blocks it off the back foot.
0.2
1
Length delivery on middle, Baard flicks it through mid-wicket and gets off the mark.
0.1
.
BEATEN! Starts with a good length delivery outside off, Baard looks to defend but misses it.
We are back for the chase. The Ireland players are out in the middle. Stephan Baard and Nikolaas Davin will open the batting for Namibia. Mark Adair will start the proceedings for Ireland.
So, 136 to chase. Will the Irish mange to defend this paltry total or will the Namibians finish third in the ICC T20 World Cup? Join us in a little while for the chase.
Zhivago Groenewald is there for an interview, says he is glad with his performance. Adds that he executed the right lines and lengths. Mentions the wicket helped him a lot. Zhivago also says they would want their batsmen to chase this total and they have many big hitters in their team.
Ireland, on the other hand, were poor with the bat. The openers along with Andy Balbirnie played well but they threw away their wickets which initiated a collapse. They lost wickets in a heap and could only score 135. They are looking down the barrel and will have to bowl really well to restrict the African nation.
It has been an excellent bowling performance by Namibia. They have done well to restrict Ireland under 150. After a strong start from the Irish, they came back well to send back the openers cheaply. All their bowlers did their job and are now looking really good to finish in the top three.
19.1
W
OUT! BOWLED! Namibia have finished this emphatically! This is excellent bowling from JJ Smit! Fullish delivery on middle and leg, Rankin looks to drive it but misses it completely. The ball goes on to hit the leg stump. IRELAND ARE ALL OUT FOR 135.
In over# 1
0
0W
2
6
6
1
Craig Williams 34/3(4)
18.6
.
On a good length on off, Young looks to drive but gets a bottom edge on this one.
Boyd Rankin is the last man in.
18.5
W
OUT! CAUGHT! Williams bowls a short of a length delivery, Adair pulls it over mid-wicket but does not get the distance on it. It goes towards Nikolaas Davin who takes a comfortable catch in the deep.
18.4
2
Full toss on middle, Adair drives it through mid on. The batsmen pick up a couple.
18.3
6
SIX! Back-to-back maximums for Mark Adair. On a length on middle, Adair lofts it over long on again for a biggie.
18.2
6
SIX! That is huge! Length delivery on middle, Adair lofts it over long on for a maximum.
18.1
1
On a good length on off, Young plays it towards the bowler. Williams goes for a direct hit at the keeper's end but misses the stumps. The batsmen take a single.
Craig Young is the new man in.
In over# 1
0W
0
0
1
0W
1
JJ Smit 19/2(3)
17.6
W
OUT! CAUGHT! Another one bites the dust! Ireland are looking down and out now! Slower delivery on middle, Simi looks to play a lofted shot over the deep mid-wicket region but fails to do so. Christi Viljoen settles under it at deep mid-wicket and takes a simple catch.
17.5
.
Good length ball outside off, Simi looks to cut it but fails to put any bat on it.
17.4
.
RUN OUT CHANCE MISSED! Good length ball on middle, Singh flicks it towards mid-wicket and looks to take a single but sends back Adair. The fielder at mid-wicket has a shy at the bowler's end but misses it. The fielder at cover has another chance to complete the run out but he too misses. Lucky break for Adair here.
17.3
1
Full delivery on middle, Mark drives this towards the long off fielder and takes a single.
Simi Singh is the next batsman in.
17.2
W
OUT! CAUGHT! The wheels are falling of for the Irish in search of quick runs. Full delivery outside off, Getkate looks to loft this over long off but does not time it well. Nikolaas Davin comes under it from long off and takes a simple catch.
17.1
1
Good length ball on middle, Mark flicks it towards the leg side and takes a single.
JJ Smit is back on. 2-0-17-0 are his figures so far.
In over# 1
1
0W
2
1
2
1
Craig Williams 19/2(3)
16.6
1
On a length on middle, Adair flicks it through mid-wicket. The batsmen take a run.
Mark Adair replaces his skipper out in the middle.
16.5
W
OUT! TIMBER! The skipper departs. On a good length on off, Wilson looks to guide it towards third man but misses it due to the movement off the pitch. He gets cleaned up in the process. Gary Wilson was looking very uncomfortable in his stay out there.
16.4
2
Full delivery on off, Wilson drives it through point. The batsmen get two runs.
16.3
1
Full delivery on middle, Getkate flicks it through mid-wicket. The batsmen take a single.
16.2
2
On a length on off, Getkate punches it through point. The batsmen pick up a couple.
16.1
1
Short delivery on middle, Wilson pulls it through mid-wicket. The batsmen take a single.
In over# 1
0
2
1
1
0
1
Bernard Scholtz 29/1(4)
15.6
.
Full delivery on middle, Shane defends it off the front foot.
15.5
2
Flighted delivery on off, Getkate looks to flick but gets a leading edge towards the cover region. The fielder there thought for a moment that he was in business but the ball was way wide. The batters take a couple.
15.4
1
Flatter delivery outside off, Gary pushes it towards the point region and crosses over for a single.
15.3
1
Full delivery on middle, Shane flicks it towards the leg side and takes a single.
15.2
.
Flighted delivery outside off, Getkate looks to drive but fails to put any bat on it.
15.1
1
Floated ball on middle, Gary sweeps it towards deep mid-wicket and takes a single.
Shane Getkate is the next batsman in.
In over# 1
0W
1
1
1
1
0
Craig Williams 12/1(2)
14.6
W
OUT! CAUGHT! Balbirnie falls after playing a breezy knock. Short delivery on middle, Andy looks to pull but does not time it well at all. The ball goes straight into the hands of Ben Shikongo at deep square leg who did not move an inch. Ireland are crumbling here as they are losing wickets in search of quick runs. This is not what they need.
14.5
1
Punched off the back foot by the batsman. They pick up a single.
14.4
1
Good length ball on off, Andy looks to cut but goes off the inside edge and into the pitch. He calls Wilson for a single but Williams is aware and he runs to collect the ball. He collects it and hits the stumps at the keeper's end but the batsman was well in.
14.3
1
Good length ball on off, Gary guides it towards third man and takes a single.
14.2
1
Full delivery on middle, Andy flicks it towards the mid-wicket region and takes a single.
14.1
.
Good length ball on middle and leg, Andy Balbirnie looks to flick it but it hits the pads and into the pitch. No run.
Craig Williams is back on. 1-0-8-0 are his figures so far.
In over# 1
1
1
1
0
0
1
Bernard Scholtz 24/1(3)
13.6
1
Flighted delivery on middle, Balbirnie flicks it towards mid-wicket. The batsmen take a single.
13.5
1
Tossed up delivery on middle, Wilson flicks it towards square leg for a run.
13.4
1
TOP EDGE BUT SAFE! Flighted delivery on off, Balbirnie looks to loft it over mid off but gets a top edge. It goes towards mid off where the fielder from long off runs forward and goes for the catch but it falls short of him. The batsmen take a run in the process. 100 up for Ireland.
13.3
.
Floated delivery just outside off, Balbirnie looks to sweep but misses it.
13.2
.
Tossed up delivery on middle, Balbirnie keeps it out.
13.1
1
Flighted delivery on middle, Wilson flicks it towards mid-wicket for a run.
Bernard Scholtz is back on. 2-0-20-1 are his figures so far.
In over# 1
1
1
2
0
4
2
1wd
Gerhard Erasmus 18/0(2)
12.6
1
Full delivery on middle, Wilson plays the reverse sweep towards the cover region and takes a single.
12.5
1
Full delivery outside off, Balbirnie plays a drive towards the cover region and takes a single.
12.4
2
Flighted ball on middle, Andy flicks it off his pads towards the leg side and takes a couple.
12.3
.
Full delivery on middle, Balbirnie defends it back to the bowler.
12.2
4
FOUR! Beautifully played! Flighted ball on middle, Andy plays the slog sweep towards the deep square leg region for another boundary.
12.1
2
Full delivery on middle, Andy flicks it towards the mid-wicket region and calls his partner for a couple.
12.1
1wd
WIDE! Short delivery way outside off, Balbirnie leaves it alone. It is wided.
In over# 1
0
1
1
0W
0
1
Zhivago Groenewald 20/2(4)
11.6
.
Full delivery on middle, Gary defends it off the front foot. Excellent spell from Groenewald comes to an end. His figures are 4-0-20-2.
11.5
1
Flighted delivery on middle, Andy flicks it towards mid-wicket and takes a single.
11.4
1
The batsman gets to the pitch of the ball and defends it. The batsmen have run through for a single.
Gary Wilson, the skipper, is the new batsman in.
11.3
W
OUT! LBW! Tector perishes! Namibia are on the top now. Flatter delivery on off, Tector premeditates to play the slog sweep but misses it completely. The ball hits the pads and the Namibian players put in an appeal. The umpire raises his finger and sends Harry back to the pavilion.
11.2
.
Another short ball on off, Tector guides it to third man for nothing.
11.1
1
Short ball outside off, Balbirnie cuts it towards the cover region and takes a single.
In over# 1
1
1
2
1
0
2
Gerhard Erasmus 7/0(1)
10.6
1
Tossed up delivery on off, Andy lofts it over mid off. The batsmen take a run.
10.5
1
Tossed up delivery on middle, Tector flicks it through mid-wicket. The batsmen cross ends.
10.4
2
Flighted delivery on middle, Tector flicks it through square leg. The batsmen get two runs.
10.3
1
Floated delivery on leg, Balbirnie sweeps it towards fine leg for a single.
10.2
.
Tossed up delivery on middle, Balbirnie flicks it to mid-wicket.
10.1
2
Flighted delivery on middle, Balbirnie flicks it through mid-wicket. The batsmen get two runs.
Gerhard Erasmus, the skipper, is into the attack.
In over# 1
1
1
1
1
2
0W
Zhivago Groenewald 17/1(3)
9.6
1
Short ball outside off, Andy punches this off the back foot towards cover and takes a single.
9.5
1
Flighted ball outside off, Tector plays a late cut towards short third man and crosses over for a single.
9.4
1
Full delivery on off, pushes it to cover region and takes a single.
9.3
1
Short ball on middle, Harry pushes it towards the cover region and takes a single.
9.2
2
Full delivery on middle, Tector flicks it towards the deep square leg region and takes a couple before the fielder can stop it. Harry is off the mark with that one.
Harry Tector walks out to bat next.
9.1
W
OUT! BOWLED! The cut shot does not work this time for Delany. Quicker delivery on off, Delany looks to cut but is cramped for room. He misses and the ball goes on to hit the top of off stump. Namibia are on top here. The Irish desperately need a partnership here.
Zhivago Groenewald is back into the attack. 2-0-11-0 are his figures so far.
In over# 1
3
0
1
4
4
0
Bernard Scholtz 20/1(2)
8.6
3
Flatter delivery on middle, Delany cuts it towards the backward point region and takes three. The fielder runs after it and cleans it up.
8.5
.
Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
8.4
1
Full delivery on middle and leg, Balbirnie flicks it towards the deep mid-wicket region and takes a single.
8.3
4
FOUR! This is excellent batting! Another short delivery outside off, Balbirnie rocks on his back foot and plays another square cut towards the backward point region for another boundary.
8.2
4
FOUR! Nicely played! Scholtz bowls a short delivery outside off, Andy rocks on his back foot and cuts it towards the backward point region for another boundary.
8.1
.
Flatter delivery on middle and leg, Balbirnie defends it to cover for nothing.
In over# 1
0
1
1
0
1
4
JJ Smit 17/0(2)
7.6
.
BEATEN! On a good length and outside off, Delany looks to drive but misses it.
7.5
1
Length delivery on middle, Andy flicks it through square leg for a run.
7.4
1
Bowls a yorker on middle, Delany does well to dig it out and plays it towards mid on. The batsmen take a single.
7.3
.
Play and a miss! On a good length and outside off, Delany looks to defend but misses it.
7.2
1
On a length on off, Balbirnie guides it towards third man for a run.
7.1
4
FOUR! Powerful shot. Short of a length delivery, Balbirnie pulls it over mid-wicket for a boundary.
JJ Smit is back into the attack. 1-0-10-0 are his figures so far.
In over# 1
1
2
0
0W
1
4
Bernard Scholtz 8/1(1)
6.6
1
Short ball outside off, Andy pushes it towards the cover region and takes a single.
6.5
2
Loopy ball on middle, Andy plays the sweep shot towards the deep square leg region for a couple.
6.4
.
Full delivery on middle, Andy defends it off the front foot.
Gareth Delany is the new man in.
6.3
W
OUT! CAUGHT! Good comeback by Bernard after giving a boundary off the first ball. Floated delivery outside off, Paul comes down the track and looks to loft it straight down the ground but does not middle it well. JP Kotze runs forward from long on and takes a simple catch. After a strong start, Ireland have lost two quick wickets.
6.2
1
Full delivery on middle, Andy plays the sweep shot towards the deep square leg region for a single.
6.1
4
FOUR! Lovely shot! Scholtz starts with a flighted ball outside off, Andy plays an extra cover drive off his front foot and over the fielder for his first boundary of the game.
Bernard Scholtz is into the attack.
In over# 1
1
1
1
1
0
4
Craig Williams 8/0(1)
5.6
1
Full delivery on off, Andy pushes it towards the mid off region and takes a single. 44 runs have come off the Powerplay.
5.5
1
On a length outside off, Paul pushes it towards the point region and calls his partner for a single.
5.4
1
Full delivery outside off, Andy pushes it towards the cover fielder and gets off the mark with that single.
5.3
1
On a length outside off, Paul defends it towards the cover region and takes off for a quick single.
5.2
.
Good length ball on off, Paul defends it towards the off side.
5.1
4
FOUR! Welcome to the crease Mr. Williams. Craig bowls a short delivery way outside off, Stirling frees his arms and plays the square cut towards the cover region for a boundary. Poor start to the over for the Namibians.
Craig Williams is into the attack.
In over# 1
1
0W
2
0
2
1
Ben Shikongo 6/1(1)
4.6
1
Good length ball on middle, Paul flicks it towards the leg side for a single. Good over for Namibia comes to an end.
Andy Balbirnie is the new batsman in.
4.5
W
OUT! CAUGHT! Kevin O'Brien after making another start has to make the long walk back to the pavilion. Shikongo bowls another short ball on middle, O'Brien looks to pull it but it goes off the top edge towards square leg. Nikolaas Davin runs in from the deep and dives in front to take an excellent catch.
4.4
2
Short ball on middle, Kevin pulls it towards the mid-wicket region and takes another couple.
4.3
.
Good length ball on middle, Kevin defends it back to the bowler.
4.2
2
Good length ball down the leg side, Kevin makes room towards the leg side and flicks it towards the backward square leg region. He calls Stirling for a couple but is late in turning around. The fielder throws it to the keeper who takes out the stump. He appeals but nothing from the umpire. Replays show that he was just in.
4.1
1
Starts with a good length delivery outside off, Paul defends it towards point and takes off for a single.
Ben Shikongo is into the attack.
In over# 1
1
1
2
1
4
1
JJ Smit 10/0(1)
3.6
1
On a length on middle, Stirling flicks it through mid-wicket for a run. 10 runs have come from the over.
3.5
1
Short of a length delivery, O'Brien pulls it over mid-wicket. The batsmen cross ends.
3.4
2
Length delivery on middle, Kevin flicks it through mid-wicket. The batsmen pick up a couple.
3.3
1
On a length on middle, Stirling flicks it towards square leg for a run.
3.2
4
FOUR! Nice shot. Full and outside off, Stirling drives it beautifully through covers for a boundary.
3.1
1
Length delivery on middle, O'Brien flicks it through square leg for a single.
JJ Smit is into the attack.
In over# 1
1
0
6
0
1
0
Zhivago Groenewald 11/0(2)
2.6
1
The batsman has punched the ball off the back foot. They pick up a single.
2.5
.
Another flighted delivery on middle, O'Brien looks to play the slog sweep again but gets hit on the pads. No run.
2.4
6
SIX! Brilliant shot! Full delivery on middle, Kevin goes on his knees and plays the slog sweep towards the deep square leg region for a huge maximum.
2.3
.
Short ball on middle, Kevin defends it off the back foot.
2.2
1
Flighted ball on middle and leg, Paul makes room towards the leg side and drives it to mid off for a single.
2.1
.
Full delivery on middle, Stirling pushes it back to the bowler.
In over# 1
1
0
4
4
0
0
Christi Viljoen 9/0(1)
1.6
1
Full delivery on middle, Paul flicks it towards deep square leg for a single.
1.5
.
Good length ball on middle, Stirling flicks it towards the leg side.
1.4
4
FOUR! This is clever batting from Paul! Viljoen bowls a short delivery outside off, Stirling plays an upper cut towards the third man region for another boundary.
1.3
4
FOUR! Stand and deliver! Short delivery outside off, Stirling rocks on his back back and creams the drive through the cover region into the fence. First boundary of the game.
1.2
.
On a length outside off, Stirling cuts it off the back foot towards cover for nothing.
1.1
.
Good length ball on off, swinging into the batsman, Stirling defends it off the back foot towards cover.
Christi Viljoen to bowl from the other end.
In over# 1
2
0
0
1
0
0
Zhivago Groenewald 3/0(1)
0.6
2
Flat delivery on off, Kevin makes room for himself towards the leg side and looks for the drive but it goes off the edge towards the third man region and by the time the fielder can cut it off, the batters take a couple.
0.5
.
Flatter delivery on middle, Kevin looks to defend but it goes off the inside edge onto his pads. No harm done.
0.4
.
Full delivery on middle, O'Brien defends it off the front foot.
0.3
1
Fullish delivery on middle, Paul flicks it to mid-wicket and gets off the mark with a single.
0.2
.
Full delivery on middle, Stirling pushes it back to the bowler.
0.1
.
Starts with a full delivery on off, Paul defends it off the front foot towards the bowler.
We are all set to begin! Paul Stirling and Kevin O'Brien make their way out to the middle. The Namibian players are also out in the middle. Zhivago Groenewald will open the bowling for Namibia.
Pitch report - Ed Rainsford is there for the pitch report, he says there is bit of cloud cover but nothing threatening. Adds that the outfield is fast. Says the seamers have enjoyed the conditions here. Bazid Khan says that the pitch has been watered regularly to make it firm. Says that there has not been a close finish in this tournament and he hopes today they see one.
Gerhard Erasmus, Namibia skipper says they would also have batted first. Adds the playing conditions are good here. Mentions they would look to finish atleast third in the tournament. Informs they are playing the same team.
Gary Wilson, the Ireland skipper, says that they will bat first. Adds that they would feel comfortable batting today and there is a bit of grass on the wicket which they would look to use to their advantage. Further says they would have been happier to be in the final.
Namibia (PLAYING XI) - Stephan Baard, Nikolaas Davin , JP Kotze, Craig Williams, Gerhard Erasmus (C), Zane Green (WK), JJ Smit, Christi Viljoen, Zhivago Groenewald, Bernard Scholtz, Ben Shikongo.
Ireland (PLAYING XI) - Paul Stirling, Kevin O'Brien, Gareth Delany, Mark Adair, Andy Balbirnie, Harry Tector, Gary Wilson(c and wk), Craig Young, Shane Getkate (IN FOR GEORGE DOCKRELL), Boyd Rankin, Simi Singh (IN FOR STUART THOMPSON).
Toss - Up goes the coin and Ireland have won the toss. They will bat first.
Hello and a warm welcome to our coverage of the ICC T20 World Cup Qualifier between Ireland and Namibia. The Irish topped their group but their batting faltered in the last game giving them no chance to qualify for the final. They would want to finish on a high. They are up against a side who had won five games on the trot before losing to Papua New Guinea i.e. Namibia. The African nation were also poor with the bat and would hope for a good performance and beat a Test playing nation for the first time. An exciting contest awaits us. Toss and team updates in a while.
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