Eagles clinch win over Hong Kong
Captain Fantastic: Skipper Nikolaas Scholtz was in fine form throughout the four days.
Namibia went into the final day in a commanding position, needing to prevent Hong Kong from scoring 303 runs, but also taking 10 wickets.
Namibia dealt a harsh blow prior to the game, as Tiaan Snyman tore his ankle ligaments on the previous day while participating in the team’s cool down. This meant the Namibians were a bowler down, in their attempt to bowl their Hong Kong counterparts out.
Hong Kong got off to a very good start, and were 48/0, before the young and talented Christopher Coombe was able to make the break through. Shortly after Coombe took another wicket, Bernhard Scholtz stepped into action with two more quick wickets. Wickets now fell at regular intervals, as Scholtz grabbed another one, Burger snatched up two and JJ Smit one of his own. With eight wickets down by tea time and only 139 runs on the board. It appeared that Namibia had the match done and dusted. However, there was to be a last fight from the Asians, as Haseeb Amjab and Eshan Nawaz made life difficult for the Namibians. The Namibians were throwing everything at Hong Kong, even trying out part timers Raymond van Schoor, to no avail. In a late attempt to take victory, Captain Nikolaas Scholtz took things into his own hands. After he scored a fantastic 85 not out in the first innings, as well as a quick fire 29 not out in the second innings, Scholtz proved that he is the kind of captain that can lead from the front, as he took two wickets from his first two balls, leading Namibia to victory, and giving the team their first intercontinental victory of the season.
