Host Namibia makes it three out of three at Pepsi ICC World Cricket League Division 2

As the action intensified in Namibia, today’s play saw convincing wins in every match, with Namibia recording a 188-run victory over Netherlands, and Kenya and Nepal winning their matches, by five wickets and seven wickets, respectively.

Wanderers Affies was the venue for a big win by hosts Namibia which scored 314 for nine in its 50 overs, before bowling out Netherlands for 126 in 28.1 overs and winning by 188 runs. At United, Kenya won by five wickets scoring the required runs in 33.1 overs, after Uganda were dismissed for 129 all out in 43.2 overs, and Nepal cruised to victory over Canada by seven wickets with 161 balls remaining with Canada scoring 114 in 49.2 overs at Wanderers.

Wanderers Affies saw the most runs scored by one team in the tournament so far as Namibia posted 314 for nine in its 50 overs and winning by 188 runs as it made it three out of three for the tournament.

The top order all got runs for Namibia with opener Stephen Baard scoring 41, before Gerrie Synman (72, including 10 fours and one six) and second player of the match performance for Merwe Erasmus who scored 91, including five fours and three sixes. Craig Williams (26) and Sarel Burger (32) kept the run rate up and the total growing, as did a late 20 runs by captain Nicolaas Scholtz, before the Dutch grabbed some lower order wickets. Ashan Malik (3-49) and Mudassar Bukhari (3-50) were the pick of the Dutch bowlers.

Namibia’s bowlers were not to be left out as they bowled the Dutch out for 126 in 28.1 overs. Louis Klazinga took 3 wickets for 19 runs, as the Dutch wickets continuously fell leaving it unable to get a foothold in the match. Michael Rippon (26), Stephan Myburgh (24) and Ben Cooper (17) contributed some runs, but with such a big total to chase it was going to Namibia’s day and the hosts cruised to a 188-run victory.

Elsewhere, Kenya dismissed Uganda for 129 all out and chased down the total in 33.1 overs in the African derby at United.

Uganda got off to a steady start with openers Arthur Kyobe (24) and Abram Mutyagaba (14) putting 44 on the board before the first wicket fell. Uganda then lost four wickets for 17 runs, and in the 11th over it saw two wickets in two balls as Shem Ngoche got Mutyagaba and Roger Mukasa, both LBW. Frank Nsubuga (21) and Patrick Ochan (14) added some runs to the total, but Uganda only managed 129 all out in 43.2 overs. Shem Ngoche was the pick of the bowlers taking four wickets for 17 runs.

Kenya’s batting line up all contributed to the win and Alex Auma (32), Irfan Karim (26) and Narenda Patel (27) all took the game away from Uganda. Even with a late flurry of wickets, its total was not enough to defend and Collins Obuya 28 not out led Kenya to its first victory of the tournament.

In the other match of the day, Nepal’s bowling attack ripped through Canada’s top order at Wanderers on day three, as Canada were left reeling on 22 for 5 wickets. KC Karan took three of his five wickets in the first 11.4 overs of play, before Canadian captain Amarbir Hansra stemmed the flow of wickets scoring 22 runs from 103 balls and contributions from Satsimranjit Dhindsa (25 not out) and Nikhil Dutta (20) took Canada to 114 all out in 49.2 overs.

The clear stand out bowler of the day was KC Karan whose five wickets for 26 runs from 10 overs including two maidens, put Nepal in the driving seat.

Taking two wickets in two balls in the second over, Canadian bowler Dhindsa (2-29) might have thought his team was starting a comeback, but it was short-lived as Nepal captain Paras Khadha (77, 11 fours, three sixes) won the match for Nepal. Gyanendra Malla (32 not out) brought the Nepalese home for victory as it won by six wickets.

Points table as at Tuesday, 20 January:

Scores in brief:

At Wanderers

Canada 114 all out, 49.2 overs (SS Dhindsa 25 not out, AS Hansra 22; KC Karan 5-26)

Nepal115 for three, 23.1 overs (P Khadka 77, G Malla 32*; S Dhindsa 2-29)

Nepal won by 7 wickets

**Player of the Match:**P Khadka (Nepal)

At United

Uganda129 all out, 43.2 overs (AS Kyobe 24, F Nsubuga 21; P Mukobe 21; SO Ngoche 4-17)

Kenya130 for five, 33.1 overs (AA Obanda 32, CO Obuya 28; F Nsubuga 2-23)

Kenya won by 5 wickets

**Player of the Match:**SO Ngoche (Kenya)

At Wanderers Affies

Namibia314 for nine, 50 overs (MG Erasmus 91, G Synman 72; MA Jamil 3-49)

Netherlands126 all out, 28.1 overs (M Rippon 26, S Myburgh 24; L Klazinga 3-19)

Namibia won by 188 runs

**Player of the Match:**MG****Erasmus (Namibia)

Wednesday’s Fixtures

**At Wanderers:**Kenya v Netherlands

**At United:**Namibia v Nepal

**At Wanderers Affies:**Canada v Uganda

All matches are scheduled to start at 0930 local time