ICC Intercontinental Cup and Shield

NAMIBIA v NETHERLANDS Preparations for this match had been marred by a wet autumn. Windhoek received 39.6 mm of rain on March 13th, 45.7 on the 14th and 25.6 on the 21st. With 3.3 mm falling on the day before the start, it was expected that the damp conditions would favour the pace bowlers and it was no surprise therefore when, on winning the toss, Jeroen Smits invited Namibia to bat first. In the event the pundits misjudged the conditions and the pitch proved easy-paced and good for batting. After losing Raymond van Schoor with only 19 on the board, Jan-Berrie Burger and Sarel Burger added 94 in just under 20 overs, the former making 81 at a strike rate of 91.0 and with 79% coming in boundaries, including four impressive sixes. All of Namibia’s middle order contributed with Gerrie Snyman being particularly aggressive, striking seven fours and two sixes in his 54 runs made off 64 balls. With his departure, the run rate slowed but Namibia lost only one more wicket, Louis Burger for a more restrained 57, before bad light brought an end to the play, 38 minutes early. With Craig Williams undefeated on 71 and Bjorn Kotze joining him in a partnership which so far had added 42 for the sixth wicket, Namibia clearly had the better of the first day. Further rain overnight brought about a surprising and sudden change in conditions and the ball swung all day. All batsmen struggled to cope and seventeen wickets fell. Edgar Schiferli and Peter Borren took the last five Namibian wickets in six overs for the addition of only 14 runs. The Dutch, however, found batting no easier and lost their first three wickets for 7. By lunch they were 62 for seven after just 24 overs, with Eric Szwarczynski accounting for 37% of these. Borren and Smits managed a partnership of 35 in the afternoon session but this hardly constituted a recovery and the innings ended on 107, a deficit of 230 runs, when Pieter Seelaar was struck on the visor of his helmet by a lifting ball from Snyman and had to be taken to hospital. Although the injury was not severe, he was unable to take any further part in the match. Kola Burger was the most impressive of the bowlers but he was well supported by Louis Klazinga and Snyman so that the Dutch had no respite. Forced to follow on, The Netherlands made a better attempt but both Alexei Kervezee and Tom de Grooth got out when looking set. Bas Zuiderent and Ryan ten Doeschate used all their experience as conditions eased slightly and added 91. Namibia used nine bowlers before Snyman made the breakthrough just before the close to dismiss Zuiderent for a well-constructed 52, made in two hours and 42 minutes. The Dutch were still 69 runs behind but with seven wickets in hand were in with a chance of saving the game. The Netherlands began well on the third morning as ten Doeschate and Szwarczynski took their partnership to 58 before an inspired spell from Kola Burger accounted for the latter and, two balls later, for Daan van Bunge. Borren helped add a further 65 but, after he fell to Kola Burger just before lunch, there was little batting left to support ten Doeschate’s defiance. Mudassar Bukhari struck three fours to take the total past 300 but, with his dismissal, the end was academic. Ten Doeschate fell on 116 after four hours and 50 minutes to a tame caught and bowled and with Seelaar not batting, Namibia were set a target of 94 runs in just under a day and a half. Kola Burger was again the best of the bowlers, finishing with a match return of nine wickets for 71. Jan-Berrie Burger decided to end proceedings quickly, his 46 coming at a strike rate of 121.0, as he and van Schoor opened with a partnership of 66. Both departed along with Sarel Burger before victory was achieved but the Dutch were unable to prevent anything other than a comfortable win for Namibia. Although outclassed, there was no doubt that the Dutch suffered from having to bat when the conditions were at their worst. 146 ICC Intercontinental Cup 2007-08