Ireland Wolves v Namibia, 4th One-Day Review: Gareth Delany’s batting heroics go in vain as Namibia emerge victorious

WINDHOEK, Namibia – Another excellent batting display by Gareth Delany wasn’t enough this time for the Ireland Wolves to overcome a strong Namibian side – falling to defeat by six wickets at the Wanderers Cricket Ground. In a complete reversal of Friday’s game – where the Wolves won the toss, bowled first, and comfortably won the game – it was Namibia who emerged comfortable winners after putting the Wolves into bat first.

Murray Commins, returning to the side after suffering a back spasm, looked comfortable for his 30 at the top of the order, before mistiming a pull-shot off paceman Jan Frylinck (2-46) and was caught at mid-wicket. James McCollum (13) and Jeremy Lawlor (0) fell with the score on 28, and in the 9th over the Wolves were looking for a steady hand to stabilize the innings. Stephen Doheny (10) was run out in a mix-up shortly afterwards, and when Shane Getkate (3) and Commins fell in close proximity, the Wolves were struggling at 58-5 in the 21st over.

Yet another quickfire half-century for Gareth Delany

Then entered Gareth Delany, who struck his second counter-attacking half-century on the trot. After his 72 from 55 balls in the last match of the series, today Delany struck 81 from 77 balls, with 7 fours and 4 sixes. He briefly found support from Neil Rick (11), but shared a 63-run 7th wicket stand with Graham Hume (21), to push the Wolves total beyond 150.

Reuben Trumplemann (2-25) picked up Delany – attempting to hook a short ball, only for the ball to fly straight to square leg – and the Wolves’ tail was soon wrapped up, all out for 178.

Needing a positive start to defend the total, the Wolves struck early, taking two wickets in the first five overs – Graham Hume taking the wicket of Craig Williams (0), and Mike Frost clean-bowled Stephan Baard (11).

The experienced Namibian pairing of Nicol Loftie-Eaton and Gerhard Erasmus then put on 96 runs for the third wicket to swing the match firmly in the home side’s favour. Loftie-Eaton (60) continuing his good run of form after 22 and 65 in his last two innings, and international captain Erasmus finishing on 66* from 77 balls, earning him Player of the Match.

The last ball of the match was emblematic of both side’s fortunes on the day, with Ben White pitching up a decent length leg-spinning delivery, but Erasmus dispatched the ball with aplomb through the extra cover region to the boundary.

Speaking after the game, Wolves captain Neil Rock said: “We’re disappointed, they played much better than us. Gareth Delany played really nicely. He didn’t get much support which is probably why we were 50-60 runs short, but he’s played very well the last two games.

“We just have to improve. It’s been a little bit disappointing that we haven’t been able to back up our last performance because I thought we played really well, and we now find ourselves 2-1 behind going into our last game, but that’s on us. We’ve to come back now and make sure we win that last game,” he added.

The two sides return for the last one-day match of the series on Tuesday, with Namibia leading 2-1.

MATCH SUMMARY  

Ireland Wolves v Namibia Men, 4th One-Day game,
Windhoek, 3 April 2022

Wolves
178 (47.3 overs; G Delany 81, M Commins 30; R Trumplemann 2-25)

Namibia
179-4 (33.5 overs; G Erasmus 66*, N Loftie-Eaton 60; M Frost 3-39)

Namibia won by 6 wickets