Scotland Have Best of Opening Day Against Namibia

The first match in Group A of the Intercontinental Cup got underway yesterday in Mannofield, Aberdeen - Scotlands newest One Day venue. Namibia won the toss and elected to bat but lost Botha early with the score on 19. The visitors continued to lose regular wickets, and only a 70 run stand between Sarel Burger and Gerrie Snyman looked like taking them to a decent score. Scotland however brought Ross Lyons on to bowl his left arm spin, and he very rapidly took the game away from the Africans. Removing Snyman with his second ball, caught Smith, he then trapped Burger LBW the following over to have Namibia 6-156. They then only managed another 12 runs for the last 4 wickets, with Lyons finishing with the fantastic figures of 12.4 overs, 8 Maidens, 10 Runs and 4 Wickets. Quite an effort for the youngster in his first ever First Class match, and fully justifying his elevation from the U19s.

Scotland's reply didn't start well with Lockhart treading on his stumps in the first over, before they had a run on the board. Unfortunately for Namibia, this brought the in-form Ryan Watson to the crease. He wasted little time settling in, and was soon skimming along at a run a ball. Scotland lost their second opener when Stanger was caught for 12 with the score on 47, but that did not deter Watson who went on to record his fifty with Watts playing a support role. Namibia were offered a glimmer of hope in the last over when Watts ran himself out, but they desperately need to remove the danger man Watson to stay in the match. The Scorecard currently has him on 62 from either 69 (if you believe Cricinfo), or 64 (if you believe Cricket Europe). They do both agree that the score is 3-95, some 73 runs behind with 7 first innings wickets in hand. Heavy rain is forecast for today, so hopefully they will be able to get in a decent day's cricket.