Skipper Richie Berrington and Michael Leask emerged as the star performers in Scotland's five-wicket win over Namibia in T20 World Cup 2024 Group B clash at the Kensington Oval in Barbodos' Bridgetown on Friday, June 7.
With a target of 156, Scotland chased it down in 18.3 overs. Berrington played an unbeaten captain innings of 47 off 35 balls at a strike rate of 134.29. Michael Leask contributed significantly in the middle order as he played a quickfire knock of 35 off 17 balls at an strike rate of 205.88. While Michael Jones and Brandon McMullen too chipped in in Scotland's run-chase by scoring 26 and 19, respectively.
For Namibia, skipper Gerhard Erasmus led the bowling attack as he registered the figures of 2/29 with an economy rate of 7.20 in four overs. Ruben Trumpelmann, Tangeni Lungameni and Bernard Scholtz picked a wicket each.
Chasing a 155-run target, Scotland lost an early wicket in George Munsey for 7 at 23/1. Then, Brandon McMullen joined Michael Jones at the crease to crease to carry on Scotland's innings. The pair was hoping to form a good partnership until Jones was dismissed for 26 at 49/2. McCullen's stay at the crease ended after he was removed for 19 at 67/3.
The middle-order batter Matthew Cross had a short stay at the crease as he was trapped with LBW for 3 at 73/4. Scotland were reeling at this stage due to their collapse. However, Michael Leask joined Skipper Richie Berrington at the crease and the pair formed a crucial 74-run stand for the fifth wicket to bring Scotland near to victory until the latter was dismissed at 147/5.
Then, Berrington anchored the innings and smashed a six on the third ball of the penultimate over to take Scottish side past the finishing line.
Brad Wheal and Bradley Currie pick five wickets to restrict Namibia to 155/9
Earlier, Brad Wheal and Bradley Currie emerged as the star bowlers for Scotland as they combined picked five wickets to help the team circumscribe Namibia to 155/9.
Wheal picked three wickets and registered the figures of 3/33 with an economy rate of 8.20. However, Currie was the most economical bowler for Scotland as he picked 2 wickets while conceding just 16 runs with an economy rate of 4. Apart from Brad Wheal and Bradley Currie, Christopher Sole, Chris Greaves and Michael Leask also contributed to Scotland's bowling by taking a wicket each.
For Namibia, Gerhard Erasmus led the batting with an unbeaten captain innings of 52 off 31 balls, while Zane Green and Niko Davin scored 28 and 20, respectively.
Eventually, their efforts went in vain as Namibian bowlers failed to defend their team's total.
