Namibia U19 stunned the whole cricketing nations after beating the defending champion South Africa U19 in the Group A encounter of 2016 ICC U19 World Cup at Cox’s Bazar on Sunday. Along with this stunning victory, Namibia secured their quarter-final spot for 2016 U19 WC and defending champion South Africa’s quarter-final hope was finished.
After winning the toss, South African colts chose to bat first. From the beginning, the young Protease team’s wickets fell at regular interval. At one stage, South Africa U19 was 60/8 in 25.3 overs. Willem Ludick and Lutho Sipamla made 55 runs partnership for the ninth wicket of South Africa U19. At the end of the 1st innings, South Africa U19 only managed 136 runs for the loss of 9 wickets in 50 overs. Only Ludick put some fight against Namibia U19 bowlers and made 42 runs. The second highest runs for the South African team came from the extras (25). Namibian bowler Michael Van Lingen took 4 wickets while Fritz Coetzee grabbed 3 wickets in that innings.
In reply, Namibia also lost their wickets at regular interval while they were 5 for 74 runs at one stage. After that, Namibia put an important 52 runs partnership for the 6th wicket. At the end, Namibia reached that target successfully with two wickets in hands and 62 balls to spare. Namibian batsman Lohan Louwrens played a match-winning knock of unbeaten 58 runs. South African bowlers tried very hard to win the match but failed short.
Michael van Lingen received the man of the match award. After beating Scotland U19, Namibia U19 clinched their second successive victory in this WC while South Africa U19 lost their second successive match in this WC after losing against Bangladesh U19 in the opening match of the WC.
Brief Scores:
South Africa U19 – 136/9 in 50 overs (Willem Ludick 42, Tony de Zorzi 18, Michael van Lingen 4/24)
Namibia U19 – 137/8 in 39.4 overs (Lohan Louwrens 58*, Charl Brits 27, Ziyaad Abrahams 2/18)