Cricket:Ireland will take top spot into the Super Eights stage of the World Cup qualifiers in South Africa after hammering Namibia by seven wickets in Johannesburg today to make it a clean sweep of five victories in Group A of the competition.
Half-centuries from skipper William Porterfield and Niall O’Brien paved the way as Ireland chased down a target of 214 to ensure that they start the second phase in the competition with a two-point advantage, having beaten their three fellow qualifiers.
Porterfield went for 84 with the victory line in sight, with O’Brien remaining unbeaten on 64 as Ireland wrapped up victory with five overs to spare. The pair put together a partnership of 101 for the third wicket after Eoin Morgan went for 42.
Namibia had earlier recovered from 66 for six to post a reasonable score after winning the toss and batting at the WITS University ground.
Ireland’s all-round strength in the field was summed up by the fact that the first five wickets to fall went to different bowlers. North County all-rounder John Mooney was back in the side for the first time in almost two years and took the vital scalp of Gerrie Snyman for just three thanks to a blinding catch from Alex Cusack.
Nicolaas Scholtz rescued the Namibian innings, digging in to hit 62 from 102 balls, before he was run out following a stunning piece of fielding from Mooney on the boundary.
Ireland will open their Super Eights campaign on Saturday with a game against an Afghanistan side that they easily saw off in the a warm-up match. A victory would put them in a position to possibly wrap up qualification with another two points against the United Arab Emirates next Monday.
Score
Namibia 213-9 (50 ovs)(N Scholtz 62, D Kotze 33, M van Zyl 31; B Rankin 2-17, R West 2-43), Ireland 214-3 (45 ovs)(W Porterfield 84, N O'Brien 64no, E Morgan 42). Ireland won by 7 wkts.
