After an extended rain delay, play is back underway at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in North Sound. England hopes to continue their impressive start in the tournament following their convincing win over Oman earlier.
Jofra Archer launches a leg-cutter to Namibia’s Michael van Lingen, but all he can manage to do is hit it to the keeper for one. Now is either do or die. In this article, we will discuss the main points of England Cricket Team Vs Namibia National Cricket Team Match Scorecard.
Toss of England Cricket Team Vs Namibia National Cricket Team Match
England triumph by 41 runs (DLS)
Namibia was always facing an impossible target and were unable to find their breakthrough until David Wiese entered the fray and scored 27 runs off 12 balls – helping speed things up somewhat but ultimately never enough for victory.
Reece Topley and Jofra Archer led England superbly as openers, particularly Archer with his bowling. Jordan also excelled during his spells while Sam Curran proved an invaluable addition.
Jordan to Michael van Lingen, Out Caught by Harry Brook! Jordan delivers full and on middle, then reverse sweeps towards long on for four – his first big strike of the match! That has created immense pressure for Australia vs Scotland later today while England remain strong with just one more victory needed for qualification.
First Over
England secured their hopes of reaching the Super Eight with a convincing 41-run victory against Namibia in Group B match played in Antigua on Tuesday evening. Jos Buttler’s side were at risk of elimination when they lost their opening match of the tournament but were rallied by an incredible second-half stand of 56 between Yorkshire pair Harry Brook and Jonny Bairstow that ensured an unlikely comeback victory.
Four! Right in the arc and on middle. Brook slams it over the long on fence for a monster hit!
Jordan to Michael van Lingen, out Caught by Brook! Full and in the slot. As Michael Van Lingen attempted to pull, it instead hit off his back foot towards third man region where Brook leapt and caught it easily with both hands for his fourth wicket of the innings – replacing Jofra Archer who has been reinstated into the team.
Second Over
After an extended delay, play has resumed at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium with England needing 126 runs for victory in 10 overs.
Jofra Archer starts strong for England by bowling an outstanding first over, seaming the ball around and making batting difficult for Namibia. Archer gets rid of Jos Buttler for four-ball duck and Phil Salt during powerplay for England to give an early lead.
Namibia were given hope when David Wiese scored 27 in four overs, only for him to be caught at long-on by Chris Jordan for an out. Michael Van Lingen made a great catch above long-on to dismiss Harry Brook. Young Jack Brassell provided 19 runs. FOUR!
Third Over
England’s fast bowlers, led by Reece Topley and Jofra Archer, continued their impressive bowling performance against Namibian batsmen. Nikolaas Davin battled hard before retiring out on 18 off 16 balls before being replaced by David Wiese’s big hitting batsmanship.
Michael van Lingen slog sweeps it over the midwicket fence for six.
Rashid bowled two balls which the first-class cricketer hit for four over long off. After that he slog swept one for maximum over deep midwicket before hole out off the final ball of an over – though his efforts would prove futile as England easily won their ten over Group B game with 41 runs to spare. Namibia may still save their tournament by beating Scotland if possible in the final matchup, or England must beat Scotland as neither scenario seems likely at this stage.
Fourth Over
England struggled early against Namibian bowlers’ disciplined bowling unit but Jonny Bairstow and Harry Brook came together for an important 56-run stand to turn things around. Bairstow used lap shots, reverse sweeps and reverse sweeps to punish their bowlers with two sixes and three boundaries in his 18-ball 31 batting innings.
Namibia were unable to match England’s required run rate and lost wickets regularly throughout. England won by 41 runs and now lead Group D with an superior net run-rate compared to Scotland ahead of their match against Australia this weekend – in what will likely be their final opportunity at reaching Super 8s without Test eligibility. Yet England are still in contention due to their victory against Namibia despite this.
Fifth Over
Jordan bowls a crucial fifth over, which yields one run as Davin hits him over wide third man for six. Namibia now needs three off every ball in order to remain competitive.
Michael van Lingen attempts to pull, but lofts it directly to Harry Brook at long-on, who made an incredible catch with both hands – an exceptional feat from England players under immense pressure to start this match before it began raining again.
After the break, England were 82-3 off eight overs with Moeen Ali and Liam Livingstone hitting five sixes between them in one over by Namibian teenage paceman Jack Brassell before rain intervened and reduced it to 10 overs per side – yet even under these arduous circumstances, England stand a great chance of qualifying for Super 8s if Scotland beat Australia later Saturday in their final Group B matchup.
Sixth Over
After an extended rain delay, England faced difficulties in their opening match at the tournament. Jos Buttler and Phil Salt both fell victim to powerplay mistakes which put England behind 13-2; however, Jonny Bairstow and Harry Brook rallied their team back into contention and gave England hope of reaching round two.
Bairstow takes his front leg out of the way and slog-sweeps over midwicket for four.
Seventh Over
After multiple rain delays and inspections, England finally got their T20 World Cup campaign underway. England were given an enormous boost by Harry Brook’s unbeaten 47 from 20 balls which greatly assisted in their defense of their title.
Jos Buttler and Phil Salt were two players to fall early, placing England under pressure, but Jonny Bairstow produced an outstanding innings to steady them – supported by Moeen Ali and Liam Livingstone who both hit sixes.
David Wiese was also an integral component as Namibia struggled to reach their target during a rain-shortened match in Antigua, prompting Namibia captain Gerhard Erasmus to heap praise on his performance and commend the 39-year-old for what may have been his final international appearance.
Eighth Over
England are determined to avoid an embarrassing defeat as they look forward to reaching the next stage of the tournament. Jos Buttler has been instrumental in their success thus far; his 42 in 28 balls against Oman stands out as an impressive highlight of their campaign.
Nikolaas Davin retires after an impressive 18-ball innings and David Wiese steps in at No 3; possibly this could be his final appearance in international cricket as he looks to add to Namibia’s score with 12-ball 27 runs.
Adil Rashid bowled an outside off delivery that Wiese took and hit for six over extra-cover for four more runs to put England ahead in run rate and total runs scored. Soon after his replacement Jack Brassell struck six over long on immediately upon bowling his first delivery as Adil Rashid bowled another tossed-delivery outside off, only for Scotland and Australia to beat each other and fail to meet an adjusted target due to rain. England are on top now but may still be eliminated should Scotland beat Australia and fail to meet a rain-adjusted target being met.
Nineth Over
As soon as the rain stopped falling and play resumed, England were back at work trying to beat Namibia and maintain their hopes of retaining their World Cup title. With Namibia out, England needed a victory at least to keep those hopes alive – and they’ve made an excellent start in this final phase.
Harry Brook bowls the final over of the match and strikes instantaneously, bowling one ball and taking out David Wiese at square leg to end Namibia’s chances of advancing to the Super Eights. Now Australia needs only to beat Scotland later on in group stage play to knock England off.
Also Read: Namibia national cricket team vs england cricket team timeline