| 0.0 : TOSS - Sri Lanka have won the toss and will BOWL first! |
| Gerhard Erasmus, the captain of Namibia says he would have bowled first as well but the toss doesn't make much of the difference. Reckons they have to be on top for these three matches. Feels the dew will not make much of a difference. Tells that they need to have a good start with the bat and put Sri Lanka under pressure. Shares these conditions suit their bowling and hopes to emulate well. |
| Namibia (Playing XI) - Divan la Cock, Michael Van Lingen, Stephan Baard, Nicol Loftie-Eaton, Gerhard Erasmus (C), Jan Frylinck, JJ Smit, David Wiese, Zane Green (WK), Bernard Scholtz, Ben Shikongo. |
| Dasun Shanaka, the skipper of Sri Lanka says they will bowl first, it's the first game and they want to have a look at the wicket. Adds they are confident. Tells they have the same combination as they had in the Asia Cup. Hopes to restrict Namibia for a decent score. Informs Dilshan Madushanka got injure in the practise session while Pramod Madushan comes in for him. |
| Sri Lanka (Playing XI) - Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (WK), Dhananjaya de Silva, Danushka Gunathilaka, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dasun Shanaka (C), Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Dushmantha Chameera, Pramod Madushan, Maheesh Theekshana. |
| PITCH REPORT -  Brian Murgatroyd says the good thing is the sun is out. Hopes to get two full matches as the conditions are overcast after that. Tells the square boundaries are short. Dirk Nannes joins and says the soil is from around the Gabba, so expect extra bounce. There is grass cover for lateral movement. Admits 160-180 is a par score. |
| We are all set but before that, the officials walk out along with the two sets of players for their respective national anthem. It will be Namibia's first followed by Sri Lanka's. |
| 0.1 : Maheesh Theekshana to Michael Van Lingen, Maheesh Theekshana starts with a flatter ball, around off, drifting away. Michael Van Lingen defends it to point. |
| 0.0 : It's time for the ICC T20I World Cup, 2022 to kick-off. The Lankan players are in a huddle. Now, they disperse to their respective positions. Michael Van Lingen and Divan la Cock to open for Namibia. Spin to start as Maheesh Theekshana has the new ball in hand. The players stand tall as they show their solidarity in support of the 'BLM' movement. Here we go... |
| 0.2 : Maheesh Theekshana to Michael Van Lingen, This is full and on the pads. Michael Van Lingen looks to sweep but misses and gets hit on the pads. An appeal but that was clearly going down. |
| 0.3 : Maheesh Theekshana to Michael Van Lingen, Namibia and Michael Van Lingen are underway in this competition. This is full and outside off, it is driven through covers for a single. |
| 0.4 : Maheesh Theekshana to Divan la Cock, Divan la Cock is off the mark as well. Tossed up on middle, drifting again. La Cock works it to mid-wicket for a single. |
| 0.5 : Maheesh Theekshana to Michael Van Lingen, Aggression from Van Lingen! Floated full and on middle. Michael Van Lingen takes the charge, hits it on the up and over mid on for a couple of runs. |
| 0.6 : Maheesh Theekshana to Michael Van Lingen, On middle, fuller and Michael Van Lingen leans and keeps it out. Decent start from Maheesh Theekshana. |
| Maheesh Theekshana to Michael Van Lingen, Wide! Way dow the leg side. Michael Van Lingen fails to flick it away. Wided. |
| Dushmantha Chameera to start from the other end. |
| 1.1 : Dushmantha Chameera to Divan la Cock, Short in length, outside off, extra bounce. La Cock punches off the back foot through point for a single. |
| 1.2 : Dushmantha Chameera to Michael Van Lingen, OUT! TAKEN! Chameera strikes and Sri Lanka have an early wicket. Van Lingen played all over it here. He tries to use the pace but mistimes it completely. Sri Lanka off to a superb start. This is on a length and on the pads. Michael Van Lingen closes the face of the bat as he tries to whack it on the leg side. He gets a leading edge and the ball flies to third man where Pramod Madushan runs to his right and takes the catch. |
| 1.3 : Dushmantha Chameera to Nicol Loftie-Eaton, Length and outside off. Nicol Loftie-Eaton works it to third man for a single. |
| 1.4 : Dushmantha Chameera to Divan la Cock, FOUR! First boundary for Namibia! On a length and outside off. La Cock cuts, it goes more off the outside edge and over the slip cordon for a boundary to third man. |
| 1.5 : Dushmantha Chameera to Divan la Cock, Outside off. Kept out. |
| 1.6 : Dushmantha Chameera to Divan la Cock, Two runs! Not off the middle at all! Chameera bangs it short. La Cock tries to pull, fails to time well but does enough to clear the mid on fielder. |
| Pramod Madushan to bowl now. |
| 2.1 : Pramod Madushan to Nicol Loftie-Eaton, On a length and around off. Nicol Loftie-Eaton knocks it to point for a quick single. The fielder has a shy at the keeper's end but misses. |
| 2.2 : Pramod Madushan to Divan la Cock, Madushan slides it on the pads. La Cock whips it to deep square leg for one more. |
| 2.3 : Pramod Madushan to Nicol Loftie-Eaton, On a length and outside off. Nicol Loftie-Eaton splices it to third man for a single. |
| 2.4 : Pramod Madushan to Divan la Cock, This is full and outside off, it's driven to covers. |
| 2.5 : Pramod Madushan to Divan la Cock, Again finds the fielder! Too full and outside off. La Cock drives it well but again to the man at cover. |
| 2.6 : Pramod Madushan to Divan la Cock, OUT! IN THE AIR AND TAKEN! Both the openers are gone now for Namibia! Both the seamers strike for the Lankans! Pramod Madushan keeps it simple. He serves it full and on middle, it nips away a touch at 130 clicks. La Cock looks to heave across but gets the leading edge and it goes high in the air. Dasun Shanaka at mid on takes a simple catch. |
| 3.1 : Dushmantha Chameera to Nicol Loftie-Eaton, On a length and on the pads. Loftie-Eaton tucks it away to square leg. |
| 2.6 : Stephan Baard comes in. |
| 3.2 : Dushmantha Chameera to Nicol Loftie-Eaton, A short ball on middle. Loftie-Eaton does well to dab it down to point. |
| 3.3 : Dushmantha Chameera to Nicol Loftie-Eaton, Length and on middle. Loftie-Eaton makes room and steers it to third man. He runs across and slips at the other end. Just a single. |
| 3.4 : Dushmantha Chameera to Stephan Baard, On a length and outside off. Baard looks to cut but gets a bottom edge. The ball rolls to point and the batters take a sharp single. |
| 3.6 : Chamika Karunaratne is into the attack now. |
| 4.1 : Chamika Karunaratne to Stephan Baard, On middle, this is flicked to mid-wicket for a single. |
| 4.2 : Chamika Karunaratne to Nicol Loftie-Eaton, FOUR! Well played! Loftie-Eaton sees fine leg inside the circle and shuffled across to pull this length ball over short fine leg for four runs. |
| 4.3 : Chamika Karunaratne to Nicol Loftie-Eaton, SIX! BANG! This is full and way outside off. Loftie-Eaton frees his arms and smashes it over extra-cover for a biggie. Nicol Loftie-Eaton is playing with intent. Making full use of the Powerplay. |
| 3.5 : Dushmantha Chameera to Nicol Loftie-Eaton, SIX! Wonderful shot! Short of a length and on leg. Loftie-Eaton gets inside the line of the ball and pulls it all the way over fine leg for a biggie. |
| 3.6 : Dushmantha Chameera to Nicol Loftie-Eaton, Good comeback from Chameera! Length ball, outside off. Loftie-Eaton looks to defend but gets beaten on the outside edge. |
| 4.4 : Chamika Karunaratne to Nicol Loftie-Eaton, Goes slower now, fuller and outside off. Loftie-Eaton looks to drive but misses. |
| 4.5 : Chamika Karunaratne to Nicol Loftie-Eaton, OUT! EDGED AND GONE! What a catch by the keeper, Kusal Mendis! Just brilliant. Chamika Karunaratne angles it across on a length. Loftie-Eaton tries to drive but the ball was going away. It generates an outside edge and goes to the left of Kusal Mendis who makes a full-stretch dive and the ball sticks well in his mitts. A one-handed stunner and Namibia are three down now. |
| 4.6 : Chamika Karunaratne to Gerhard Erasmus, Erasmus is off the mark! Outside off, guided to third man for a single. |
| 4.5 : Gerhard Erasmus is the new man in. |
| 5.1 : Pramod Madushan to Gerhard Erasmus, On middle, nudged to deep square leg for one. |
| 5.2 : Pramod Madushan to Stephan Baard, Outside off, pushed to cover. |
| 5.3 : Pramod Madushan to Stephan Baard, Short and outside off. Baard punches on the up and square on the off side for one. |
| 5.4 : Pramod Madushan to Gerhard Erasmus, On middle, tucked to square leg for one. |
| 5.5 : Pramod Madushan to Stephan Baard, Full and on middle, eased to mid on. |
| 5.6 : Pramod Madushan to Stephan Baard, FOUR! A good end to the over! This is full and on middle. Baard flicks it over mid-wicket for a boundary. At the end of the Powerplay, Namibia are 43/3. |
| Maheesh Theekshana is back on. |
| 6.1 : Maheesh Theekshana to Gerhard Erasmus, Tossed up on off, Erasmus paddles it to fine leg for a single. |
| 6.2 : Maheesh Theekshana to Stephan Baard, Flatter and outside off, dabbed to point for a quick single. |
| 6.3 : Maheesh Theekshana to Gerhard Erasmus, Very full, floated but angling down. Erasmus bunts it to square leg for one. |
| 6.4 : Maheesh Theekshana to Stephan Baard, Around off, driven to covers. |
| 6.5 : Maheesh Theekshana to Stephan Baard, A quicker ball, outside off. Baard reverse hits it to backward point for one more. |
| 6.6 : Maheesh Theekshana to Gerhard Erasmus, A slider, length and around off. Erasmus works it to square leg for a single. |
| Wanindu Hasaranga to bowl now. |
| 7.1 : Wanindu Hasaranga to Gerhard Erasmus, Tossed up, around off. Erasmus uses his feet and drills it to deep mid-wicket for a single. |
| 7.2 : Wanindu Hasaranga to Stephan Baard, That was close! A slower ball, flatter and was the googly. Baard skips down and flicks it fine, just past the keeper and to short fine leg. The fielder fumbles has he slides across and two runs are taken. |
| 7.3 : Wanindu Hasaranga to Stephan Baard, On middle, nudged to square leg for one. |
| 7.4 : Wanindu Hasaranga to Gerhard Erasmus, Outside off, knocked to point. |
| 7.5 : Wanindu Hasaranga to Gerhard Erasmus, This is short, no pace from Wanindu Hasaranga. Gerhard Erasmus tries to pull but ends up hitting it back to the bowler. |
| 7.6 : Wanindu Hasaranga to Gerhard Erasmus, Around off, kept out. A good start by Wanindu Hasaranga. |
| 8.1 : Chamika Karunaratne to Stephan Baard, On a length and around off. Baard plays it back to the bowler. |
| 8.2 : Chamika Karunaratne to Stephan Baard, On middle on a length. Baard clips it to deep square leg for a single. |
| 8.3 : Chamika Karunaratne to Gerhard Erasmus, A fuller ball, outside off. Erasmus shapes for the drive but finds the man at cover. |
| 8.4 : Chamika Karunaratne to Gerhard Erasmus, Short in length and outside off, Erasmus pulls, not off the middle and it rolls to mid-wicket. A single. |
| 8.5 : Chamika Karunaratne to Stephan Baard, Almost had him! A length ball, outside off. Baard drives on the up, it goes more off the outer half of the bat and to covers where the fielder dives to his left and stretches but only manages to get a hand on it. That was a real chance. A single. |
| 8.6 : Chamika Karunaratne to Gerhard Erasmus, Around off. Erasmus looks to dab it away but gets an inside edge and it rolls to the left of the leg stump. Mendis has a shy but misses and the batters take a single. Overthrow. |
| 9.1 : Wanindu Hasaranga to Gerhard Erasmus, Outside off, cut to point. |
| 9.2 : Wanindu Hasaranga to Gerhard Erasmus, Around off, fuller. Erasmus pushes it to covers. |
| 9.3 : Wanindu Hasaranga to Gerhard Erasmus, Flatter, quicker and outside off. Erasmus curs it through point for one. |
| 9.4 : Wanindu Hasaranga to Stephan Baard, Full and on off. Baard sweeps it to deep mid-wicket for one. |
| 9.5 : Wanindu Hasaranga to Gerhard Erasmus, Tossed up, outside off. Erasmus slog-sweeps it to deep mid-wicket for a single. |
| 9.6 : Wanindu Hasaranga to Stephan Baard, Shorter and on middle. Baard looks to sweep but misses and gets hit on the pads. Going over the middle pole. |
| 10.1 : Maheesh Theekshana to Gerhard Erasmus, On middle, worked to long on for a couple. |
| 10.3 : Maheesh Theekshana to Gerhard Erasmus, Shorter and on middle.  Erasmus mistimes his pull to deep mid-wicket for a single. |
| 10.4 : Maheesh Theekshana to Stephan Baard, Tossed up on off. Baard reverse hits it past backward point for a brace. |
| 10.5 : Maheesh Theekshana to Stephan Baard, Fuller ball on middle. Baard flicks it to deep mid-wicket for a single. |
| 10.6 : Maheesh Theekshana to Gerhard Erasmus, Flighted, full and on off. Erasmus chips it over the bowler's head and keeps the strike with a single. |
| 10.2 : Maheesh Theekshana to Gerhard Erasmus, Slightly short and outside off. Erasmus slaps it through point for a couple again. |
| Wanindu Hasaranga to Stephan Baard, FOUR! Pierces the gap! Tossed up on middle. Baard slog-sweeps and hits in the gap to deep square leg for a boundary. A welcome one. |
| 11.3 : Wanindu Hasaranga to Stephan Baard, Around off, a googly. Baard reverse hits it to deep point for a single. |
| 11.1 : Wanindu Hasaranga to Gerhard Erasmus, Outside off. Erasmus punches and the fielder at cover lets it through his hands for a single. |
| 11.4 : Wanindu Hasaranga to Gerhard Erasmus, Fuller and around off. Erasmus slogs it and tries to clear the longer pocket but the ball falls well in front and wide of deep mid-wicket. |
| 11.6 : Wanindu Hasaranga to Jan Frylinck, Very full and on the pads. Frylinck clips it past square leg for a brace. |
| 11.5 : Wanindu Hasaranga to Gerhard Erasmus, OUT! TAKEN! The 41-run stand is broken and the magician from Sri Lanka strike! Wanindu Hasaranga bowls it flat, slow and outside off. Erasmus rocks on the back foot and gets low to pull but only gets height on this one. Danushka Gunathilaka at deep square leg runs in and takes a simple catch. |
| 12.1 : Chamika Karunaratne to Stephan Baard, Full and on middle, Baard drills it to mid on for a single. |
| 12.2 : Chamika Karunaratne to Jan Frylinck, This is full and outside off, it is driven to cover. The fielder dives to his left and parries the ball back to the bowler but till then the batters ran across. |
| 12.3 : Chamika Karunaratne to Stephan Baard, On middle, this is hit to deep square leg for one. |
| 12.4 : Chamika Karunaratne to Jan Frylinck, Chamika Karunaratne bangs in short and outside off. Frylinck slashes and misses. |
| 12.5 : Chamika Karunaratne to Jan Frylinck, Touch fuller and outside off. Frylinck drives it straight to mid off. |
| 12.6 : Chamika Karunaratne to Jan Frylinck, On the pads, this is flicked to mid-wicket for another single. Sri Lanka doing well to slow things up. |
| 13.1 : Pramod Madushan to Jan Frylinck, FOUR! Good shot and good start to the over! Namibia need a couple of more! Short in length and on leg. Frylinck pulls it wide behind square leg for a boundary. |
| 13.2 : Pramod Madushan to Jan Frylinck, Full and on middle, Frylinck tucks it to mid-wicket for a single. |
| 13.3 : Pramod Madushan to Stephan Baard, Did not time it all! On a length and on middle. Baard looks to scoop but miscues and the ball falls towards square leg. A single. |
| 13.4 : Pramod Madushan to Jan Frylinck, Very full and on off. Frylinck drives and beats the diving mid off fielder but long on was present. Two runs now. |
| 13.5 : Pramod Madushan to Jan Frylinck, On middle, this is hit to deep square leg for one more. |
| 13.6 : Pramod Madushan to Stephan Baard, OUT! CAUGHT! Excellent catch from Dhananjaya de Silva. Sri Lanka have been superb on the field. Sri Lanka strike again! A full toss on middle and it was there to be hit. Stephan Baard swings his bat and hits it to deep square leg. Dhananjaya de Silva there runs to his right and takes a clean catch. The set batter goes and Namibia are in pressure. |
| David Wiese walks in. |
| 14.1 : Maheesh Theekshana to Jan Frylinck, Wide! Down the leg side. Wided. |
| Maheesh Theekshana to Jan Frylinck, On middlle, eased to long on for a single. |
| 14.3 : Maheesh Theekshana to JJ Smit, Outside off, played through covers for a single. |
| 14.4 : Maheesh Theekshana to Jan Frylinck, On middle, nudged to mid-wicket. |
| 14.2 : Maheesh Theekshana to David Wiese, OUT! EDGED AND GONE! A big, big wicket for Sri Lanka as David Wiese could have been deadly in the back end of the innings. He goes without troubling much. Tad short and outside off. David Wiese looks to punch off the back foot but there is a bit of an extra bounce and it takes the outside edge of Wiese's blade. An appeal for caught behind and the finger goes up. David Wiese takes the review. Ultra Edge shows a big spike as the ball passes the bat and |
| 14.5 : Maheesh Theekshana to Jan Frylinck, Fuller ball on middle. Frylinck works it to square leg for a single. |
| 14.6 : Maheesh Theekshana to JJ Smit, Floated ball, outside off. Smit punches it to point. What an over! Just 4 runs and a big wicket of it. Sri Lanka bossing the game currently. A good finish will be key for them now. |
| 15.1 : Dushmantha Chameera to Jan Frylinck, Short in length and outside off. Frylinck drops it to covers for a single. |
| 15.2 : Dushmantha Chameera to JJ Smit, Length and outside off. Smit guides it through point for a single. |
| 15.3 : Dushmantha Chameera to Jan Frylinck, Full and angling in from 'round the wicket. Frylinck flicks it wide of mid-wicket for a brace. |
| 15.4 : Dushmantha Chameera to Jan Frylinck, FOUR! Clobbered! Finds the gap! A slower ball into the pitch. Frylinck stays back and pulls it to deep mid-wicket, in the gap for four. 100 up for Namibia. |
| 15.5 : Dushmantha Chameera to Jan Frylinck, Full and on middle. This is driven straight down the ground for a couple. |
| 15.6 : Dushmantha Chameera to Jan Frylinck, On off, worked to point for a single. |
| 16.3 : Wanindu Hasaranga to Jan Frylinck, On middle, bunted to mid-wicket for one more. |
| 16.1 : Wanindu Hasaranga to Jan Frylinck, Full and on the pads, swept to square leg for a single. |
| 16.4 : Wanindu Hasaranga to JJ Smit, SIX! THAT IS A CLEAN HIT! Tossed up, in the slot on off. Smith gets on his knee and slogs it over mid-wicket for a biggie. |
| 16.5 : Wanindu Hasaranga to JJ Smit, A quick single as this is hit to point. |
| 16.2 : Wanindu Hasaranga to JJ Smit, A googly, slower and on off. JJ punches it to cover for a single. |
| 16.6 : Wanindu Hasaranga to Jan Frylinck, A low dipping floated ball on leg. Frylinck sweeps it straight to short fine leg. |
| Chamika Karunaratne is back on for his final over. |
| 17.1 : Chamika Karunaratne to JJ Smit, On a length and on off, nipping in. Smith drills it to long on for a single. |
| 17.2 : Chamika Karunaratne to Jan Frylinck, FOUR! Through the gap! Bowls it slow, on a length and outside off. Frylinck looks to cut but gets an outside edge, past the keeper and wide of short third man for four runs. Much needed. |
| 17.3 : Chamika Karunaratne to Jan Frylinck, On the hips, pulled to deep square leg for a single. |
| 17.4 : Chamika Karunaratne to JJ Smit, Well bowled! Lack of pace from Chamika Karunaratne and it is outside off. Smit looks to cut but misses. |
| 17.5 : Chamika Karunaratne to JJ Smit, Five wides! Extra runs! This one slipped off the hands! A full toss, angling down. Smit misses his flick and it goes past the keeper to the fine leg fence. |
| Chamika Karunaratne to JJ Smit, FOUR! Huge over for the batting side! Pitched up, outside off. Smit drives it cleanly and to deep extra cover. The man from long off runs across and dives but in vain. |
| 17.6 : Chamika Karunaratne to JJ Smit, Outside off, dabbed to short third man for a run. 16 runs off the over. Just what Namibia wanted. Another big over and they could end up with a decent score. |
| 18.1 : Pramod Madushan to JJ Smit, FOUR! It is raining boundaries currently! Full, slow and outside off. Smit waits and smashes it to deep point, beating the diving fielder for a boundary. |
| 18.2 : Pramod Madushan to JJ Smit, Short and outside off, pulled to deep mid-wicket for a single. |
| 18.4 : Pramod Madushan to JJ Smit, On middle, this is hit to deep mid-wicket for a couple. |
| 18.3 : Pramod Madushan to Jan Frylinck, THREE RUNS! This is full and outside off. Frylinck has a big swing across the line. He slices it behind the keeper and three runs are taken. |
| 18.5 : Pramod Madushan to JJ Smit, Thumped straight down! Very full and on middle. Smith smashes it down to long off for a couple. |
| 18.6 : Pramod Madushan to JJ Smit, SIX! Another expensive over from the Lankans! this is not good bowling from Pramod Madushan! He tries the slower ball but serves it in the slot, around off. Smith slogs it over cow corner for a biggie. 18 runs off the over. |
| 19.1 : Dushmantha Chameera to Jan Frylinck, Full and on off. Frylinck lofts it to long off for another couple. Good running. |
| Dushmantha Chameera to Jan Frylinck, Wide! Frylinck shuffles way across and Dushmantha Chameera bowls it way down the leg side. Frylinck paddles and misses. |
| 19.2 : Dushmantha Chameera to Jan Frylinck, FOUR MORE! This is going against the plan for Sri Lanka! The bowlers are lacking discipline here! Very full and on the pads. Frylinck heaves it to deep square leg for four runs. |
| 19.3 : Dushmantha Chameera to Jan Frylinck, A full toss, outside off, driven to cover for one. |
| 19.4 : Dushmantha Chameera to JJ Smit, Wide! This is too short and way outside off. Smit lets it go. |
| 19.5 : Dushmantha Chameera to Jan Frylinck, PUT DOWN! This is full and outside off. Frylinck tries to go big but fails to get the distance. Dasun Shanaka runs across from long off and dives but fails to hold on. Two more. |
| 19.4 : Dushmantha Chameera to JJ Smit, Bye! Short again, outside off. Smit slashes and misses. The batters take a quick single. The keeper hits at his end but the replay shows Frylinck was well in. |
| 19.6 : A disappointing end to a very good performance from Sri Lanka. They leaked 68 runs in the last five overs. Sri Lanka lacked discipline and gave away too many runs in the fag end. It was going perfectly for them before that. Dasun Shanaka used five bowlers and everyone got into the wickets column. The spinners were the most economical of the lot but Shanaka would have hoped for a much better ending than this. |
| Excellent hitting at the backend from Namibia and they have ended with a competitive total. A good start could have given them a score around 180 but this is still a good one for the bowlers to play with. Namibia were three down inside the Powerplay. Stephan Baard played a fine cameo but it was the finish that Namibia were looking for. Jan Frylinck and JJ Smit showed that the ball was getting softer and was coming easily on the bat. The stand of 69 off 33 between them has helped Namibia to |
| Dushmantha Chameera to Jan Frylinck, OUT! RUN OUT! Full and outside off. Jan Frylinck lofts it to long off. The fielder throws it to the keeper and finds Frylinck short of his crease as he was looking for a couple of runs. NAMIBIA END AT 163/7. |
| Right then! Namibia have fought hard till the end! Sri Lanka will be disappointed but will look to chase this down as it is a good batting pitch and they have a good batting line up. Namibia will look for a couple of wickets early on. Stay tuned for the second essay. |
| ...THE CHASE... |
Google +
Facebook
Twitter
Whatsapp