CRICKET:A DAY of cricketing carnage left Ireland's chances of retaining the Intercontinental Cup hanging by a thread as Namibia took a huge advantage on the first day of their clash in Windhoek.

Twenty-five wickets fell, with Ireland being bowled out for just 69 in their first innings, before some late-order runs from the home side earned the six bonus points for a first-innings lead that ensured them a place in next month's final.

Namibia were let off the hook after collapsing to 37 for seven in reply, and pushed on to 119 and a 50-run lead, before reducing Phil Simmons's side to 77 for five by the end of play, a slim lead of 27.

Andy White and Trent Johnston were the unbeaten batsmen at the end of the day and they will need to put on a decent partnership today and hope the tail wags if Ireland are to stand any chance of setting a defendable target and earning a victory that will keep them in the competition.

Although the wicket was nothing like the one on which Ireland claimed their inaugural Intercontinental Cup victory in Windhoek three years ago, it was nowhere near as bad as the scorecard makes out.

After being put in to bat by the home side, only two batsmen managed to make it to double figures as Namibia's seamers made hay.

Andrew White (19) and Alex Cusack (12) made almost half of their side's score, with an extras count of 16 being the only other contribution of note as Gerrie Snyman and Louis Klazinga bagged four wickets each to bowl Ireland out for 69.