Gerhard Erasmus struck an unbeaten 156 from 125 balls, a career best, to help Namibia level their five-match one-day international series against Ireland at one win apiece. The hosts won by 31 runs in Windhoek.
The Namibia captain twice took the game away from the tourists. First, his innings helped set an imposing total of 321-6 from 50 overs, with Frylinck contributing 76 from 90 balls. Erasmus, who is 31, then took the final two wickets of the game as Ireland’s tail threatened to complete an unlikely chase.
Ireland’s bowling struggles
Ireland captain Paul Stirling won the toss and put the hosts in to bat, but his bowlers struggled, particularly 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 1-71. Curtis Campher also conceded heavily, returning 1-74 from his 10 overs.
Spinner Gavin Hoey was the pick of the bowlers. He matched his three wickets from Wednesday’s victory, this time finishing with figures of 3-53.
Ireland’s chase
Chasing 322, Stirling continued his good form with a second half-century of the series. He made 77 from 71 deliveries before he was given out leg before wicket to Jack Brassell. That dismissal ended a spell in which three batters fell for the addition of just six runs.
Brassell led the Namibia attack, also taking the wickets of Lorcan Tucker, George Dockrell and Campher to finish with 4-52.
Hoey and Jai Moondra put on 58 for the ninth wicket, briefly bringing Ireland within sight of victory. However, when Moondra was out for 20, caught and bowled by Erasmus, their hopes were quickly dashed.
The series resumes on Tuesday with the third match, also in Windhoek. Ireland will use the games as part of their preparations for next year’s World Cup qualifiers.