ICC Intercontinental Cup and Shield

NAMIBIA v UGANDA Namibia’s poor batting on the first day meant that, except for a short period at the end of day two, they were always playing catch-up and it ultimately cost them the match. After losing the first two wickets for 2 runs in the first two overs, seven batsmen got into double figures but none was able to make a substantial score. Gerrie Snyman characteristically tried to take the bowling apart with three fours and three sixes and a strike-rate of 77.9, but it was a risky approach and he eventually fell caught behind. A last-wicket stand of 38 restored some respectability. Uganda started well reaching 61 before the first wicket fell, Namibia surprisingly choosing the spin of Nico Scholtz to accompany Snyman in the opening attack. Both openers were then dismissed followed by two further wickets before the close, leaving a glimmer of hope that Namibia could come back into the game on the following day. Uganda’s middle order prevented Namibia from getting on equal terms. A patient innings by Nand Kishore Patel (strike rate of 43.5) was well supported by contributions from Junior Kwebiha and Lawrence Sematimba, laying the foundation for an onslaught by Franco Nsubuga whose 62 was made at a strike rate of 79.4 and contained ten fours. Namibia looked as though they were coming back into contention as they took Uganda’s last three wickets for 2 runs and Danny Keulder and Johannes van der Merwe overcame the first-innings deficit of 109 runs with the only century partnership of the match; but as close of play drew nearer they lost concentration. Both were dismissed, leaving nightwatchman Kola Burger holding out with Riaan Walters to leave Namibia a fighting chance of at least a draw on the final day. Namibia’s attempts to save the game were thwarted by inconsistent batting. Kola Burger performed his nightwatchman role admirably by taking his score on to 33, Deon Kotze batted sensibly to his half-century and Snyman made 32 at a run a ball but Namibia really needed to score over 300 and bat until tea. They did neither. Although 289 was the highest innings total of the match, it was not enough and Uganda needed 181 to win with plenty of time in hand. Despite losing their first wicket with only 2 runs on the board, they approached the task by defending well and waiting for the balls which could be hit. Namibia conceded only one extra and bowled no wides or no-balls but the bowling was inconsistent and went for more than four runs per over. One hundred of Uganda’s runs came in boundaries which resulted in a somewhat easy victory. Nsubuga’s all-round performance gained him the Man-of-the-Match award. This was a good result for Uganda because Namibia were by far the more experienced team at this level, having played three-day cricket in South Africa’s UCB Bowl competition, even though, being in Division 2, none of their matches was of first-class status. 20 ICC Intercontinental Cup 2004