NEWS
Follow UsTop-order batters LR Chethan (169) and Nikin Jose (103) struck sizzling tons to help Karnataka post 360, but that did not prove to be enough as Namibia, propelled by Michael van Lingen (104) and skipper Gerhard Erasmus (91) knocked down the target with a ball remaining to level the five-match series in Windhoek.
On the day, it was Namibia’s turn to field first and the hosts got off to the perfect start, sending
Ravikumar Samarth back to the pavilion for 5 in the fourth over of the match. The joy only lasted for a while, though, as Chethan and Jose, put together a marathon 258-run stand to pile misery on Erasmus’ side. The partnership, which lasted for 38 overs, was finally broken by Jan Frylinck, who along with Ben Shikongo proved to be very expensive on the day.
Despite the partnership, however, Namibia sort of had the run rate in check, with Karnataka’s score reading 270/2 at the end of the 41st over. But the visitors managed to add 90 runs in the last 9 overs thanks to a sparkling cameo from Krishnamurthy Siddharth, who smashed six sixes en route a 27-ball 59*.
As it turned out, however, the total ended up getting chased. Each of Namibia’s top four scored 50+ runs — Stephan Baard (57), Nikolaas Davin (70), Michael van Lingen (104), Gerhard Erasmus (91) — to take the hosts over the line.
There was a tiny bit of hope for Karnataka when Erasmus and van Lingen perished in consecutive overs, but Jan Frylinck and Zane Green applied the finishing touches to help the hosts level the series.
The third match of the series will be played on Wednesday, June 7th.
